THE candidate for the Mahkota state by-election in Johor will be from Barisan Nasional (BN), said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The BN chairman said it was customary for the incumbent’s party to contest it again.
He said the Umno political bureau and Supreme Council will discuss the matter further, after which, the decision will be brought to the unity government secretariat council.
“We know that the Mahkota state seat is in a relatively promising area for us (BN) to continue winning, and of course, we want coordination with all parties in the unity government.
“Usually, the understanding serving as the formula for the unity government is that the seat held by any party should be contested again by that party. Therefore, I don’t want statements from leaders (of other parties), big or small, claiming any seats,” he was quoted saying at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur.
Earlier today, the Election Commission set September 28 as the polling day for the Mahkota by-election, with nomination day and early voting scheduled for September 14 and 24, respectively.
The Mahkota seat became vacant following the death of its assemblyman, Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 63, on August 2 at Hospital Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom in Kluang.
In the Johor election in March 2022, Sharifah Azizah, who was representing BN, won the seat with a majority of 5,166 votes. – August 13, 2024.
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