Umno heavyweights keen to make comeback

SHAH ALAM - The 15th General Election (GE15) is expected to witness many Umno heavyweights making a comeback and offer themselves to be Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates in the Parliamentary seats they held prior to GE14.

Among the big shots and veterans in Umno who will redeem themselves from the GE14 disappointment were former Perak Menteri Besar and BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

It was understood that Zambry would be taking back the Lumut seat won by Amanah Federal Territories chairman Datuk Mohd Hatta Md Ramli in GE14.

Among the old faces in Umno who were interested to contest in GE15 were former housing and local government minister Datuk Seri Rahman Dahlan (Kota Belud), supreme council member Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed (Pulai), former minister in the prime minister's department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom (Jerai Parliemant and Gua Chempedak assemblyman) and Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak (Kota Belud).

Former Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo was among the 14 names offered to become the "warlords” to take back the Sungai Besar seat from Pakatan Harapan (PH).

BN was also expected to keep almost all the names of cabinet ministers especially the president’s right-hand man to become candidates in GE15 including the Higher Education Minister and Umno Wanita Chief Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad defending the Parit Sulong seat.