The New Generation Party (NewGen Party) on Wednesday announced that it has shortlisted three candidates for the Kajang by-election.
NewGen Party secretary-general S.Gobi Krishnan said that one of the three— namely Mohd Azim Nordin, Elizabeth Lee Su Fen and Yuktes Vijay— will be the party's candidate to contest in the seat.
“These three are all young people who we believe are the best potential state assemblyman for Kajang. We are vetting them through a very strict criteria and we believe they are people able to serve in a committed manner, I want Kajang voters to have no reason to not vote for us,” Gobi Krishnan told Astro AWANI.
Gobi Krishnan said the party had previously vetted through 26 people who applied to be candidates.
Seven of those, he said, were rejected because they were already members of political parties, including MIC, DAP, PKR and UMNO.
“We wanted to make sure that none of them had any major political experience. That’s what we looked at when we asked for people from the public to be candidates,” he said, adding that all selected also had to be a Kajang resident, below the age of 40 and a graduate.
He said that the Evaluation Committee, compirising himself, Dr. Nizam Tahir (Advisor), Dr. Azhar Hamid (President), Francisco Joo Eee (Deputy President), Qasdina (Treasurer-General), Adrian Lim (Vice President) and Kamariah Ali (Vice President) and had met on Feb 17 Feb to decide on the three.
Gobi Krishnan said all three have leadership skills, can think out of the box”, and “will be a very good servant of the rakyat.”
The three shortlisted candidates will be required to attend a further evaluation process which includes a psychological test and a final interview to be conducted next week.
Gobi Krishnan said the 28-year-old Mohd Azim who holds Bachelor in Political Science “is very involved in social activism, especially at the mosque, and was a debate champion in university”.
On Lee, 31 and holds a Masters in Economics, he said “She has done some local activities in Kajang itself and she actually started free tuition in the surrounding neighbourhood.”
On Yuktes, whose real name is Yuktesvaran Malaipan, Gobi Krishnan said that the 27-year-old law graduate is already well known for speaking out in the papers.
“But that was not our criteria. We saw that he was involved in social activism, formed a non-governmental organisation and is not just supporting the government. He attacks both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat on issues and is credible,” he said.
Yuktes is a former legal aide of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his sodomy trial but later turned against Anwar. He later worked with Deputy Education Minister II, P Kamalanathan.
Anwar is the Pakatan Rakyat candidate but the BN candidate has yet to announce its candidate.
Former BN and PKR leader Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has also announced his intention of contesting as an independent.
Other independent candidates include 1980s dangdut singer Herman Tino and Malaysian Indian United Party president Datuk S Nallakaruppan, who is Anwar's former tennis partner.
The Election Commission had set March 23 for the Kajang by-election.
Teoh El Sen
Wed Feb 19 2014
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Trump says he would impose tariffs on China if China went into Taiwan
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would impose additional tariffs on China if China were to "go into Taiwan,"
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.