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By R.S.N. MURALI (The Star) KUALA TERENGGANU: The job of defending the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary constituency on Jan 17 is now in the hands of Deputy Home Minister and Kuala Terengganu Umno division chief Senator Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak made the announcement at 5.30pm yesterday, ending weeks of speculation over who would be Barisan Nasional’s candidate. “Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and I opted for the same candidate, “We mutually agreed (on Wan Ahmad Farid) but we kept it hush-hush until the time was right to unveil it,” Najib told some 2,500 people who had gathered at Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said’s official residence. There was a roar of approval and a standing ovation from the crowd, including Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammud-din Tun Hussein, Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Puteri Umno chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad, and state MCA, MIC and Gerakan leaders and members. Wan Ahmad Farid, who had been the clear favourite, looked relieved when his name was announced.  Our man: Najib raising Wan Ahmad’s hand during the announcement of the Barisan Nasional candidate for the Kuala Terengganu by-election Saturday. The by-election was called following the death of former Deputy Education Minister Datuk Razali Ismail on Nov 28. Najib said all 103 Umno branches in Kuala Terengganu and Barisan component parties wanted Wan Ahmad Farid to be the candidate. He said Wan Ahmad Farid was chosen after taking into consideration several factors and that the by-election was “extremely important” for Barisan. “For us, the role of the MCA, MIC and Gerakan are most vital to win this election,” he said. Najib said Barisan decided to name the candidate much earlier as it wanted the machinery to be adequately prepared. In the past the candidate was only announced a day before nomination. Later, Najib told a press conference that all Umno leaders should set aside their differences for the by-election. “Give priority to this election,” he said. “We should not waste time solving internal disputes. Forget about all disagreements and render unwavering support to the candidate,” he said.
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At the same time, najib, you should not waste time in clearing up all the baggages of scandals before you step into PM's office !!