Two BN candidates withdraw and replaced

Barisan Nasional's (BN) new face Tengku Rethwan Mansor who was supposed to contest the Seri Setia state seat in the 13th General Election (GE13), withdrew today.

Selangor BN deputy election director Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed said Tengku Rethwan's withdrawal was conveyed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also Selangor BN chairman, at noon today.

"Selangor BN chairman (Najib) has agreed to Datuk Abdul Halim Samad (Seri Setia BN coordinator) replacing him as the BN's candidate for the seat," he told a press conference here.

Asked the reasons for Tengku Rethwan's withdrawal, Mohd Zin declined to elaborate and was only willing to say:"Eleventh hour withdrawals and changes in candidates are a normal thing in elections."

Meanwhile, Abdul Halim, 46, said he was thankful to be selected to replace Tengku Rethwan.

"My thanks to the Selangor BN chairman (Najib) and deputy chairman (Mohd Zin) for selecting me as the candidate (for Seri Setia) and also all those who have supported me in my work. I will do my best to ensure the BN wins here," he said.

In Seremban, the BN candidate for the Johol state constituency has withdrawn from contesting in the 13th general election.

Fadzil Abu Kassim said he made the decision, to avoid disunity among the community.

"I do not wish to see my Muslim and Malay brethren fight among themselves and become disunited because of politics," he told Bernama through a short-message-service (SMS) here today.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan who is also state BN chairman announced that businessman Abu Samah Mahat, 61, would replace Fadzil as the candidate for the constituency.