KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 — Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed will not defend his Jeli federal seat in the 15th general election, an aide has confirmed.
According to The Star, the Umno-turned-Bersatu leader’s political secretary Zahari Kechik said the matter has been decided.
“He will not be contesting due to his health and adhering to doctor’s advice,” Zahari was quoted as saying.
The confirmation comes ahead of PAS’ announcement of the Perikatan Nasional candidates for federal seats in Terengganu and Kelantan; Jeli is in the latter state.
Today, Zahari declined to say who would contest the Jeli seat for PN in Mustapa’s place or whether he might stand in for the latter.
“I am in no position to confirm this. The question should be posted to the Kelantan Perikatan Nasional liaison committee,” he said.
Mustapa was among the earliest departures from Umno following Barisan Nasional’s 2018 general election defeat, and joined Bersatu a little more than a month after leaving the Malay nationalist party.
A former minister in the Najib administration, he rejoined the Cabinet in 2020 when Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin became the prime minister after the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government, and was reappointed when Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob replaced Muhyiddin last year.
