KUALA KRAI (June 28): Kesedar project monitoring division manager Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat (pix) is the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Manek Urai state by-election on July 14.

The selection of Tuan Aziz, 39, who is Kuala Krai Umno Youth chief, was today announced by party deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in a function in Kampung Sok Luar, Manek Urai, here. 

Muhyiddin, when making the announcement, said Tuan Aziz had the undivided support of the party leadership, including Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, and all levels of the party right down to the grassroots.

He said it had been difficult in selecting the candidate because there were many eligible people, Bernama reports.

"Nevertheless, we considered the matter in detail. We are fielding a candidate who is well accepted by the constituents," he added.

Muhyiddin said the party leadership was confident Tuan Aziz and the election machinery helmed by Kelantan Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Mustapa Mohamed could capture the seat for the BN.

"Our candidate wants to champion Muslims and bear the torch of unity. He is a person who is academically qualified and has wide experience as well as a good track record here. He is not a fishmonger," he said.

Muhyiddin's mention of fishmonger was apparently in reference to Mohd Fauzi Abdullah, the Kuala Krai PAS Area secretary who has been named as the PAS candidate for the by-election. Mohd Fauzi is a fish wholesaler.

"It is important to select a candidate who is academically qualified because he has to lead the people here, or he may stray (from the objective)," he said.

Muhyiddin said a BN victory would not bring much change to the Kelantan state assembly but the BN elected representative would have the support of the federal government.

He is the BN candidate. I myself will help make Manek Urai the symbol of the re-emergence of Umno and BN.

"At the same time, we will see how we can develop this constituency," he said.

The by-election has been necessitated by the death of the state assemblyman Ismail Yaakob of PAS on May 22.