Toni Kassim pulls out of elections
Soon Li Tsin
Malaysiakini, 19 February 2008, 4:50pm

Another candidate has opted out of contesting the 12^th general election - Zaitun ‘Toni’ Kassim has cited medical reasons for withdrawing from the polls. 

 Zaitun, who was to have stood as an Independent, had intended to test the waters a second time on a women’s rights platform supported by the Women’s Candidacy Initiative (WCI), as in 1999.

However, WCI said in a statement today that her health has taken a turn for the worse. She had been hospitalised for a week in January, for typhoid and a debilitating duodenal ulcer, but was said to have been making good progress up to now. 

"As WCI is made up of men and women who believe in and care for Toni, we feel that it is not right to place the burden of running for elections in her already stressful condition," said the statement.

"It is difficult enough running in as an independent candidate even when one is in the best of health - it would be unthinkable to do it in times of bad health."

When contacted, Zaitun confirmed the decision, saying she had been readmitted to hospital on Monday. 

Sounding groggy and apologising for this, she briefly said the ulcer had started to bleed again and that she also has problems with her liver.

Hopes had been high among women’s rights activists and civil society groups when her name was put up again by the WCI.

In 1999, Zaitun contested the Selayang parliamentary seat against Barisan Nasional’s Chan Kong Choy, although she stood under the DAP banner for logistical reasons. 

She won 43 percent (26,144) of the votes, which slashed the incumbent’s margin from 38,627 in 1995 to 8,835.

WCI did not field a candidate in the 2004 elections, as its focus was on women’s rights awareness campaigns and programmes.

It was speculated that Zaitun would run in Petaling Jaya Selatan in a three-corner fight against PKR and MCA.

Star reported today that she was contemplating running on a PKR ticket this time around, rather than under the DAP banner as the party requires Independents to become party members first.

he WCI has drawn up a 10-point manifesto, a copy of which will be sent to Barisan Nasional and opposition leaders.

Toni had previously said WCI would not associate itself with any political party "but if the ruling or the opposition parties support our manifesto, we would be more than happy".

Last Sunday, DAP's Batu Gajah incumbent Fong Po Kuan withdrew from the elections, saying she would not defend the parliamentary seat in Perak. The party, however, hopes to persuade her to change her mind.