State polls: Ex-Negri MB’s wife back in the fray after 15 years away from active politics

July 29, 2023

State polls: Ex-Negri MB’s wife back in the fray after 15 years away from active politics

SEREMBAN: Having been away from active politics for the past 15 years will not put Barisan Nasional’s Puan Sri Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid at a disadvantage.

The wife of former Negri Sembilan mentri besar Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad will take on Perikatan Nasional bigwig Datuk Eddin Syazlee Shith in the Aug 12 Negri Sembilan state polls.

They will lock horns in Barisan’s stronghold of Juasseh.

Noting that her rival was the former Kuala Pilah MP, Bibi Sharliza said she was also from the town, some 40km from here.

“Although I’ve been away from active politics for some time, I have always kept in touch with the constituents there.

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“I have been Wanita chairman of a branch in Kuala Pilah and have also been working actively with two non-governmental organisations in the area,” she said when met at Wisma Umno recently.

In the 2018 General Election, Barisan’s Datuk Ismail Lasim won the seat in a three-cornered fight with a majority of 692 votes against candidates from Pakatan Harapan and PAS.

Bibi Sharliza, who is now state Wanita Umno chief, last served as Paroi assemblyman from 2004 to 2008.She said she knew her constituents well and many of them went to school with her.

“I am looking forward to a healthy campaign and I hope there will be no personal attacks,” she said.

Asked if her husband’s corruption case could work against her, Bibi Sharliza said it should not.

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“I have nothing to do with that.

“I hope my opponents would not get personal and rather look at what I have done and will do for the people of Juasseh,” she said.

Mohd Isa, who was mentri besar for 22 years until 2004, was appointed chairman of the Federal Land Development Authority in January 2011.

On Feb 3, 2021, he was convicted of nine corruption charges involving RM3mil over the purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites in Kuching, Sarawak.

The High Court allowed a stay of execution of the sentence pending his appeal, which is scheduled to be heard at the Court of Appeal on Oct 16.

Bibi Sharliza said Juasseh was a rural constituency and she would focus on the young people and women, who needed guidance and assistance.

“There are many traditional kampung in Juasseh and we need to look into the well-being of the people and economic activities that can be carried out, such as turning these areas into tourist attractions.

“The locals, especially women, will also be my priority as we need to look at the socio-economic opportunities that can be provided to them,” she added.