Hulu Selangor: It's Kamalanathan vs Zaid vs Independents

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has officially named MIC information chief P Kamalanathan as BN's candidate for the Hulu Selangor by-election.

According to Muhyiddin, MIC's first choice G Palanivel was dropped because there had been request for a change in candidate. Palanivel held the seat for almost two decades - between 1990 and 2008.

“Even though he has been here for a long time, many on the ground yearn for change... they want a to feel the winds of change in Hulu Selangor,” he said.

When Muhyiddin announced Kamalanathan's candidacy during a function in Bukit Sentosa, the crowd of about 2,000 people cheered for the candidate.

Kamalanathan, 44, though making is electoral debut, wasted no time in taking a swipe at PKR candidate Zaid Ibrahim.

“I will swim with you and I will sink with you... I won't go back to Kota Bharu. I will be here, not Kota Bharu,” said Kamalanathan, in reference to Zaid's place of origin.

At a press conference later, Muhyiddin dismissed suggestions that BN was allowing a rookie Kamalanathan to go against 'heavyweight' Zaid, 59.

“Maybe in size he is heavier than our candidate. If you look at his record, it is not all that good. (Moreover), he is not local. Very lightweight. In fact, featherweight,” he said.

To a question, Muhyiddin offered words of consolation to MIC deputy Palanivel, who was dropped at the eleventh-hour as the candidate and did not attend the ceremony.

“Maybe he had other work (to do). Maybe he is disappointed, but it won't be for long. Hopefully, no one says anything about this. It is just normal human behaviour,” he said.

It is believed that as a consolation, Palanivel may be appointed senator and given a deputy minister's post.

'I am BN's soldier'

Contrary to earlier reports that Palanivel was the sole candidate nominated by MIC, Muhyiddin claimed that Kamalanathan was also on the list.

“Kamalanathan was in the list but (at the time) his name was not very prominent. After some research, he was chosen,” he said.

Speaking to reporters later, Kamalanathan vowed to help BN regain its “stronghold” as a gift to mark Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's first year in power.

Kamalanathan expressed confidence that he would receive support from all BN component party members and dismissed talk of possible boycotts by MIC grassroots.

"I am the representative of Barisan Nasional, I represent the brand of 1Malaysia. I am like a soldier that has been placed by the leader in a war. The prime minister has named me as a soldier and with the help of other BN soldiers, we'll face the challenge," he said.

To another question, Kamalanathan said he was "shocked" and brought to tears when informed of his candidacy by Samy Vellu at noon today as he was not expecting to be fielded.

Kamalanathan however declined to comment on his opponent Zaid, saying that he would go to the ground to promotes BN's struggles and promises of economic development.

courtesy of Malaysiakini