SEREMBAN: Suspended Umno leader Datuk Mohd Salim Mohd Sharif today confirmed he has been offered to contest as a Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate in the upcoming state election in Negri Sembilan.
The former Jempol member of parliament, however, said he has yet to make any decision on his political future since he is still grieving over the death of his wife, who died in February this year.
"I did receive an offer from PN to contest the state election in Negri Sembilan.
"At the moment, I have yet to make any decision on the matter.
"I want to rest and focus on my family first since we are still coping with the passing of my wife," he said when contacted.
Negri Sembilan PN deputy chairman Rafiei Mustapha told Berita Harian yesterday that the party has offered Mohd Salim to contest in the state election in the state, set to be held from July.
Rafiei also said PN had also made the same offer to sacked Umno leader Khairy Jamaluddin, who is the former Rembau MP and former health minister.
When pursued further, Mohd Salim did not discount any possibilities.
"Anything can happen because we do not know what will happen in the future.
"As I said earlier, at the moment, I have neither thought of joining any party nor running in the state election," he said.
Mohd Salim added that he will study and analyse the present political development in the country before coming to any decisions.
"Give me time to look at the situation... it is true that when we are angry (because of being suspended), all sorts of things arise in our minds and bodies, but any possibility can happen in the future (contesting in the election)," he said.
Early this year, Umno announced its decision to sack and suspend several of the party leaders for allegedly violating the party constitution during the 15th General Election.
Apart from Mohd Salim, Umno also suspended Sembrong MP and former defence minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein from the party for six years.
