Jasin Umno division committee member Roslan Ahmad was today named the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Merlimau state seat by-election to be held on March 6.
The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin before about 3,000 BN supporters at the command centre in Merlimau, near here.
"The choice was decided upon by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, as the BN chairman. After we received the proposed names of candidates which were repeatedly screened, we found Roslan to be the most suitable candidate," he said after making the announcement.
Also present were Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, PPP president Datuk M.Kayveas, BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and several other BN leaders.
Muhyiddin, who is also BN deputy chairman, said Roslan, 44, had a service record and was well known among the Merlimau constituents, so he hoped voters in the area would be satisfied with the choice made.
Roslan, manager of the business development division of Melaka Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary company of the state govermment, has a diploma in business administration.
His late father, Datuk Ahmad Ithnin, was formerly assemblyman for Sungai Rambai, which was later delineated into the Merlimau seat.
"We hope the voters in Merlimau are satisfied and will give their strong support to Roslan to be their elected representative," said Muhyiddin.
He also hoped that the BN machinery which started preparing for the by-election one month ago would be able to increase the majority votes from the number garnered in the 2008 general election.
When his attention was drawn to the fact that Roslan's late father was a former assemblyman for the area and so was his uncle, Datuk Seri Abu Zahar Ithnin, who is also a former Malacca chief minister, Muhyiddin said Roslan was chosen on merit.
"We can't avoid the blood relations aspect, but what is important is his leadership qualities which were assessed by the party leadership based on his background and potential," the deputy prime minister said.
Roslan is married and has four children.
The Merlimau seat became vacant following the death of its incumbent assemblyman Datuk Mohamad Hidhir Abu Hassan on Jan 20 due to heart attack.
The Election Commission has fixed Feb 26 for nomination of candidates and March 6 for polling.
