Najib PETALING JAYA: The Umno candidate for the Bagan Pinang by-election is now largely down to a choice of father or son: Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad or his eldest son Najib.
Isa and Najib are the two most likely picks from the three names submitted by the Teluk Kemang Umno division. The third name is Rohani Yaakob, Wanita head of the division.
Isa, 59, is still the favourite to be picked as the candidate. Teluk Kemang Umno, of which he is division chief, has been adamant that only he should be the candidate despite reservations among some quarters over his suspension for money politics in the party.
But the top Umno leadership insisted that the division put forward more than one name for consideration, a move that suggests party leaders not only want to win the polls but also intend to strengthen Umno’s image among the public.
Umno’s dilemma over the choice of candidate was further complicated by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s unreserved opinion about choosing a blemish-free candidate.
When contacted yesterday, Isa declared he would put in 101% to ensure a win for the Barisan Nasional regardless of who is named today.
“I don’t know whether it will be me or my son or anyone else, but we will defend the seat and win it again. We are the defending champion and this is our trophy,” said Isa, who was also Mentri Besar for 25 years.
Isa’s son, Najib, is 31 and works as a marketing manager in a pharmaceutical company. He is also a second-term Umno Youth vice-head in the division.
PAS sources said if Isa were to be picked, the previous PAS candidate Ramli Ismail was likely to be the PAS choice. However, if Umno chose someone new, then the PAS candidate might be state party commissioner Zulkifli Mohd Omar.
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