KOTA BARU: Barisan Nasional's candidate for the Nenggiri by-election, Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani, said he did not consider his Perikatan Nasional opponent Mohd Rizwadi Ismail his enemy.
He said Rizwadi, from Bersatu, was his friend.
"This competition (Nenggiri by-election) is more a fight between representatives of two political parties to win the hearts of the people in Nenggiri and become a representative to the people in the state seat," he said when contacted.
Azmawi said both he and Rizwadi have to be politically mature as young people in their campaigning.
"For me, l will not campaign to discredit the opponent. I think it is better for me to explain what l can do as a candidate to help the voters and show them what l have done as (Umno) Gua Musang Youth chief to the people of Gua Musang, especially in Nenggiri," he added.
Azmawi said he became the Youth chief in 2018, having been active in politics since 2010.
"I was informed that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other party leaders will accompany me during nomination day this Saturday.
"This is very important to me. This kind of support and as well as the assistance given by the party machinery will give encouragement to me to face the big day," he said, adding that he was grateful to BN and Umno leaders, as well as the federal government, for choosing him to represent them.
BN recently named Azmawi as its candidate for the by-election.
The Nenggiri by-election was called after Kelantan Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah declared the seat, previously held by Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, vacant.
Azizi, who is also the Gua Musang member of parliament, was among the seven elected representatives dismissed from Bersatu for supporting the unity government.
Under the Kelantan Constitution, an assemblyman who leaves his party or is sacked from it must vacate his or her seat.
Nomination day is set for Saturday, early voting will take place on Aug 13 while polling day has been fixed for Aug 17.