Dr Asri valid not equal 13th General Elections

Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin

Ex-Perlis Mufti, Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin confirmed he will not be contesting in the General Election-13 (13th General Elections), thus ending speculation many.

He previously have been touted to be competing for the People's Alliance ticket. Umno reported ever trying to lure him.

Speculation is a concern since mid-2010.

"I'm not competing. I want to stay within the boundaries that I was now," he said in exclusive interview with the Daily Herald Online yesterday.

In this meeting, Asri, who is also Universiti Sains Malaysia lecturer admitted having been discovered by the leaders of both the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

They included the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also BN chairman and president of the People's Alliance (PR).

Accordingly Asri said he wanted to play the role of the thinker who can rebuke the government.

He was among the religious leaders are tipped to contest in 13th General Elections.

Asri said, besides him, some of the parties involved in the 'think tanks', which will serve to give a critical view and critical of the government.

"If we all stand and take a stand in favor of any one group, who will be a critical group," he said.