ROMPIN: Rompin Umno Division acting head Datuk Hasan Arifin, 62, has been picked as the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Rompin Parliamentary by-election on May 5.
The selection of the former Pahang Deputy Menteri Besar was announced by deputy prime minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at a ceremony to announce the candidate and handing over of credentials at the BN Machinery Operation Centre in Muadzam, here, yesterday.
Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president, said to discharge a duty which demanded a strong work effort, BN was bringing to the fore an experienced political figure who was no stranger to the people of Rompin.
“The party leadership has decided. Hasan is most suitable and qualified to contest as the BN representative in the Rompin Parliament due many factors, including his vast experience in the business of the party and the government,” he said.
He said this in a media conference which was held after the ceremony here, yesterday.
The announcement ceremony was also attended by Pahang Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
Also present were Pahang Umno Liaison deputy chief Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin and Umno division vice-chief Datuk Seri Maznah Mazlan.
Talking to reporters later, Muhyiddin said Hasan had held numerous posts in Umno, and was a Pahang Deputy Menteri Besar.
With his experience as the Bukit Ibam State Assemblyman since 1982, and an executive councillor, Hasan is believed to be the most qualified candidate to lift Rompin to a higher level, said Muhyiddin.
“So, we think it is apt that he continues the tradition of the late Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis because the reception of the local residents is good and I feel this is an accurate choice.
“Our hope is that voters will accept Datuk Hasan as a Member of Parliament because they are familiar with him and it is easy to forward issues and problems of the residents of Rompin,” said Muhyiddin.
At the same time, he also reminded the party machinery not to take lightly the by-election despite it being an Umno stronghold which had never been breached by the opposition. — Bernama