JASIN: Quashing speculation of a rift, the Barisan Nasional candidate for Rim state seat Datuk Khaidirah Abu Zahar said there is no conflict between her and former Rim assemblyman Datuk Ghazale Muhamad.

       She said that she has been receiving full cooperation and support from Ghazale as well as grassroots machinery to contest there.

       "I would like to inform you that my cooperation with any grassroots leaders is well accepted," she told a press conference here Tuesday (Nov 9).

       She was accompanied by Ghazale at the press conference.

       Khaidirah is in a three-cornered fight against Perikatan Nasional candidate Azalina Abdul Rahman and Pakatan Harapan's Prasanth Kumar Brakasam.

       She is among the 24 new faces fielded by Barisan in the Melaka state polls.

       Khaidirah said that she was honoured to be picked as a Barisan candidate for the Rim state seat.

       "A large part of my family is from here. Insya-Allah (God willing), there will be no issues in terms of cooperation with the local leaders here," she said.

       Khaidirah added that she will be continuing all the work and legacy left by Ghazale.

       "The Rim state seat is a fixed deposit for Barisan. With the track record of Barisan and Ghazale all this while, their services cannot be denied," said the Umno supreme council member.

       Ghazale, who was present at the press conference, said that he will also be giving full support to Khaidirah.

       "As an incumbent for two terms representing the Rim state seat, and an old-timer, I am making way for new faces for younger leaders to be candidates and to lead.

       "Personally, I accept the party's decision and will give my full cooperation to Khaidirah," he said.