ALOR SETAR: Umno is set to contest in 15 of the 36 state seats in Kedah when the state goes to the polls on Aug 12.
The cooperation between Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional in the unity government at the federal level prompted Umno to take a bolder step in the Malay heartland.
With its partners in Barisan Nasional, MCA and MIC, opting to stay out of the polls, the distribution of seats will see Umno contesting the 15 seats.
The party is expected to field its candidates in Pedu, Bukit Lada, Bukit Kayu Hitam, Sungai Tiang, Anak Bukit, Guar Chempedak, Tanjug Dawai, Pantai Merdeka, Ayer Hangat, Ayer Hitam, Jeneri, Bandar Baharu, and Merbau Pulas.
The party will also likely contest in two of the three state seats in Baling, which are Bayu and Kupang.
"The party wanted Suka Menanti or Alor Mengkudu too, but both PKR and Amanah insisted on defending the seat that they won in the 14th General Election (GE14)," said an Umno Youth leader who requested anonimity.
In GE14, Suka Menanti and Alor Mengkudu were won by Datuk Zamri Yusuf from PKR and Datuk Phahrolrazi Zawawi from Amanah, respectively.
The source said it remains to be seen if Umno could get any other seats on top of the 15 that had already been agreed.
Among the names that are being bandied out to contest were Umno state chief Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid in Pedu, and Pokok Sena Umno Youth chief Mohd Farhan Ahmad, who is a new face.
With his extensive record in the state administration and at federal level, Mahdzir is the strongest candidate in the Umno line-up to spearhead the party in the state polls.
The former two-term Padang Terap MP failed to defend his seat in the 15th General Election where he lost to Kedah PAS Youth chief Nurul Amin Hamid.
Meanwhile, when asked about his candidacy, Mohd Farhan said the selection of candidates was the prerogative of the party leadership at the state and federal level.
"If the leadership wants me to be a representative of the party, I will accept and work hard to win for the party and subsequently contribute to the success of the Pakatan-Barisan coalition to topple the state government," he said.
The law graduate from the United Kingdom said it is important for the leadership to recognise the ability of the youth in Umno as they will be the way forward to the future.
He believed there are plenty of young leaders in Umno who are capable and qualified to lead the nation so it is about time for these younger leaders to gain experience and exposure.
Mohd Farhan is the son of former Pokok Sena Umno chief and former Bukit Lada assemblyman Ahmad Sudin.
Langkawi Wanita Umno chief Hisham Suhaily Othman is another fresh face being touted as a candidate for the state polls.
The former state Wanita Umno chief is likely to contest in Ayer Hangat.
