Zulhasnan to quit ambassador post to contest in Setiawangsa
KUALA LUMPUR: After 15 months of serving as Malaysia’s ambassador to the United States, Tan Sri Zulhasnan Rafique will resign from his post to contest the 14th General Election.
The 63-year-old will stand as Barisan Nasional candidate in Setiawangsa.
“After receiving the watikah (appointment letter) today (yesterday), I will be submitting my resignation as the ambassador latest by Tuesday (tomorrow).
“I like to thank BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak for giving me the opportunity to contest this election.
“For 13 years, I have served Umno and BN Setiawangsa. Hopefully, the people will support us,” he said, adding that he had served 15 months of his two-year term as ambassador since December 2016.
He said as a local candidate, people were familiar with him.
Another “old” face making a return was Lembah Pantai Umno division chief Datuk Seri Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin, who will contest the Lembah Pantai parliamentary seat.
Malaysia’s first Grand Slam adventurer, Muhammad Muqharabbin Mokhtarrudin, said Raja Nong Chik’s candidacy was welcomed by people of all races.
“Although he lost in the last election, his character of forgiving those who defamed him and constantly being on the ground to help the people in Lembah Pantai have made him close to their hearts.
“(The people are) comfortable with him. He smiles a lot and provides his services to Lembah Pantai,” said Muqharabbin, who is fondly known as Qobin.
He said Raja Nong Chik had been attending five to eight programmes daily.
He said this was different from the opposition candidate, whom he claimed was only fighting for the parliamentary seat to get the “Yang Berhormat” title.
“It is not that the person does not do any work at all, but he merely comes to show face and cover up weaknesses by blaming the authorities and government departments.
“I was born and raised in Lembah Pantai. My life and success began here. I personally witnessed the efforts of Raja Nong Chik to help the people.”
BN candidate for Batu Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai, 51, said whether he faced PKR’s Tian Chua or not, he would not underestimate the opposition.
“BN has been working hard to serve the people in the constituency. This will work to our advantage.”
He said voters had been disappointed by the opposition’s poor service.