TAIPING: Datuk Zainal Azman Abu Seman admits that PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has told him that he is being considered for the Perak Mentri Besar role.
"If the president of the party would like me to be the Mentri Besar candidate as he has told me, I think I am ready to take up the challenge," the Kuala Sepetang state seat candidate said during an interview on Nov 16.
Zainal Azman is a former deputy director-general under the Public Service Department.
He said he retired in July this year and had no plans to go into politics.
"Somewhere between July and October, I was engaged to contest. But I will only reveal more details later," he said.
Previously when asked about the Mentri Besar offer, Zainal Azman said "there are many other candidates that can be considered" and was leaving the decision to party leadership.
"At first when they told me, I said 'jadi Exco pun cukup lah' (exco member). I was still thinking about it," he said.
Zainal Azman said the last phase of campaigning has made him feel optimistic about his chances in Kuala Sepetang and vows to be an MB that cares for the people.
"It's very sad when I think about how in the past, the people were being shortchanged because politicians always think about themselves.
"As a civil servant, I've endured situations where we worry about new policies or statements. We have seen things not being done despite giving them our advice. So now I will go in and make sure my colleagues at the federal level do the best for the people," he said.
Zainal Azman is contesting against Norhaliza'awayati Meman (Pejuang), Ahmad Man (Perikatan Nasional) and Mohd Kamaruddin Abu Bakar (Barisan Nasional).
