Kajang by-election: Zaid Ibrahim to contest as independent candidate

KAJANG (Feb 16, 2014): Former minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim (pix) announced today that he will contest in the upcoming Kajang by-election as an independent candidate.
In his official announcement here, he said the decision was made to uphold certain political principles, including the mandate given by the people to Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as Selangor Mentri Besar.
He added that should he win the state seat as Kajang assemblyman, he can represent the locals to air their grievances on matters related to religious and racial issues at the Selangor state legislative assembly.
He said that he had no intention to split the votes among the Malay constituents.
"It didn't cross my mind to split the (Malay) votes. I'm not interested (in it)," he said at a press conference here.
Zaid, who is the former Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air (Kita) president, admitted in his blog last Friday that he was tempted to offer himself as an independent candidate.
His intention to return to politics, however, was subject to the approval of his wife, Datin Suliana Shamsuddin Alias.
Suliana, who was present with Zaid, smiled when asked by the press on her husband's decision to contest in the state seat.
"I support my husband because he has been consistent in his views. That is all I will say."
Zaid joins four other independent candidates, including 1980s dangdut singer Herman Tino, Malaysian Indian United Party president Datuk S.Nallakaruppan and former legal aide Yuktes Vijay.
The by-election may see PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim facing a five-cornered fight against the independent candidates.
Nomination has been fixed for March 11 and polling day March 23.