Hamidah leaves it to party

by Reena Raj

Location:

BATU GAJAH
WANITA UMNO Information chief Datuk Hamidah Osman has denied rumours that she plans to stand for the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seat.

GOOD TURNOUT: Hamidah serving her guests at her Hari Raya open house in Batu Gajah

Hamidah, the Kampung Rapat assemblyman and a state executive councillor, said she would leave it to the party leadership to decide her future.

Incumbent Kuala Kangsar MP Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz had said earlier this year it was highly unlikely that she would defend her seat in the next general election as she would like to give way to younger candidates.

Since then, rumours had been circulating that Hamidah was eyeing the seat.

Asked if there had been any indications that she would be fielded as a candidate for the third time, she said she was not concerned with it.

“If I am not selected as acandidate, I will still continue to serve in other ways. It’s not about me but it is to form a correct government for the people,” she told reporters at her Hari Raya open house here yesterday.

Hamidah also said she was confident the Barisan Nasional would retain the state government.

She said the turnout at festive open houses was a good indication of the support.

“There has a good turnout not only at my open house but also those of other BN leaders. This is a good sign,” she said.

Hamidah also felt that it would be better to hold the general election next year.

“Towards the end of this year students will be sitting for major examinations, schools are occupied, people are going for the haj, and by December we will have the floods,” she said.

“This is just my opinion. Of course, the decision will be made by the party president."