Mohd Puad: I did not contest after receiving advice from the Sultan of Johor

BATU PAHAT: Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi decided to not contest as an independent in the Batu Pahat parliament seat after receiving advice from the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.
The Umno Batu Pahat division chief revealed the reason behind his non-candidacy just hours after stating on Facebook that it would remain a secret.
Mohd Puad said many parties had contacted him to get an explanation on why he decided to change his intention to contest the seat as an independent.
"As a citizen of Johor that is loyal to his king, I abide with the decree of Tuanku as I believe the advice was given for the interest of 'Bangsa Johor'.
"I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to the Sultan of Johor for his concern, guidance and advice that is filled with wisdom," he said in a statement.
Earlier in a Facebook post, Mohd Puad refused to divulge the reason behind his decision to not contest as an independent in Batu Pahat. He had explained that his absence at the nomination centre earlier today was because he had to attend his daughter's wedding in Johor Baru.
Mohd Puad was dropped as the candidate for the Batu Pahat parliament seat by BN in favour of Umno Batu Pahat Wanita chief Haliza Abdullah.
Following the announcement, speculation was rife that he would defy his party's order to contest as an independent in Batu Pahat.
In the previous election, Mohd Puad failed to defend his Batu Pahat seat after losing to PKR's Datuk Mohd Idris Jusi, who had a 1,732 majority. He had won the seat in the 2008 general election.