KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — Federal Territories Umno chief Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani is facing a four-way fight in the Titiwangsa federal constituency in the 15th general election (GE15).
Johari, who previously won the Titiwangsa seat in the 13th General Election, was defeated during the political tsunami of the 14th general election, after Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun was declared the winner with a majority of 4,139 votes.
However incumbent Rina is seeking re-election at the Sepang federal seat this time instead and will not be defending her current seat.
The former second Finance Minister will be fending off challenges for Pakatan Harapan's incumbent Shah Alam MP Khalid Abdul Samad (Parti Amanah Negara), Perikatan Nasional's Dr Rosni Adam (PAS), Gerakan Tanah Air's Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan (Parti Pejuang Tanah Air)
Dr Rosni is a dentist by profession with over 20 years in practice and she is also the current deputy chief of PAS women's wing (Dewan Muslimat).
Khalid is Amanah communications director while Khairuddin is PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's cousin.
At 10am, the Election Commission (EC) announced that it had closed the registration for nomination amid the backdrop of a persistent light drizzle.
Half an hour later, returning officer Firdzaus Said confirmed the candidates after the close of nomination, announcing that none of the four candidates were rejected.
With this, Titiwangsa is confirmed to be a four-way fight, barring any of the four from pulling out mid-stream.
Met later, Dr Rosni said she wished to continue the legacy of fellow PAS compatriot Dr LoLo Mohd Ghazali who passed away from lung cancer in 2011.
Dr LoLo was Titiwangsa MP between 2008 and 2013.
“Her legacy helped me a lot (in my campaign) as some of the constituents still remember her and she dutifully served the people here,” Dr Rosni added.
Separately, Johari said GE15 is unique in the sense this will be the first time a new segment of young voters were now eligible to take part in the county's democratic process.
So much so that, those aged between 18 to 20 represent about 16 per cent of the total eligible constituents under Titiwangsa, Johari disclosed.
“That is why this presents as a challenge to all candidates because most of them lack full knowledge of the country's democratic process,” he said.
The EC has set November 19 as polling day while early voting is on November 15.
