Kamilia turned down offer to contest for state seat - Najib

Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Wanita Umno vice head Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim has rejected an offer to be the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for Bukit Chandan state seat in Perak.

As such, said the Prime Minister, the issue that she was not given a seat to contest in the general election or not appreciated by BN did not arise at all.

Najib explained the offer to Kamilia include the State Executive Council (Exco) post if BN forms the next Perak state government but she turned it down.

"That's her decision. The issue of the Wanita Umno vie head not given a place or not appreciated by BN does not arise. She wanted to contest a parliamentary seat but we think it is more suitable for Datuk Kamilia to contest the state seat.

"After all, the late Tun Lim Keng Yaik accepted the post of State Executive Council member when he was Gerakan president. The State Executive Council is an important post.

"If the offer is accepted, Datuk Kamilia can play a role not only in Perak but also in the national context," he told reporters after the launch of the Women's Network for Single Mothers (JUWITA) - Wanita BN here on Thursday.

He was commenting on a newspaper report quoting Kamilia as saying the absence of Wanita Umno top leaders as candidates was disappointing and an insult to women.

Kamilia said that it showed that BN did not give due recognition to women leaders who represent women organisations in the country.

Najib, who is also BN chairman blamed what happened on the rising demand from women as candidates for parliamentary seats.

Asked about those who were not nominated, he urged them to stay calm down as it was not easy to satisfy all parties.

"If none of them wants to give way, there will not be any change. I hope those who feel a little disappointed do not harbour ill feelings but think about the party's future.

"In this election, we need the loyalty and support of each party member and most importantly, we want to form the government. When the government is formed, we can help them in many ways, but if we don't have power, we can't offer help."

On the request by certain quarters to review the BN candidates listed, he said: "We cannot give satisfaction to all parties.

"If we change at the last minute, other problems can arise, but we try to address in other ways. It depends on the situation, but we consider the line up as acceptable to the people."