Pulai, Simpang Jeram by-elections: Johor Amanah to submit list of candidates on Aug 15

BATU PAHAT: Johor Parti Amanah will be handing in a full list of candidates contesting in the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state by-elections scheduled for next month to the central leadership on Tuesday (Aug 15).

Johor Amanah chairman Aminolhuda Hassan said even though they had finalised the candidates for the by-elections, he declined to reveal them as the final decision would be made by the central leadership.

“After we (Johor Amanah) have submitted the names, the central leadership will evaluate…to ensure the proposed candidates are really qualified.

“This is because the voters in Johor are different from other states and we need to study carefully to ensure the candidates would be able to attract voters,” he said when contacted by BK on Monday (Aug 14).

On the preparation of machinery for the by-elections, he said it has been mobilised and the state Amanah will be meeting Johor Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin soon to discuss cooperation for a Unity Government machinery.

Aminolhuda who was also Johor Pakatan Harapan deputy chairman said Pakatan would not take lightly the support of voters for Perikatan Nasional, especially in the six state elections on Saturday (Aug 12).

“As the support for Perikatan is increasing, we need to field the best candidates and at the same time, we will campaign seriously without being aggressive and provocative,” he said.

Meanwhile, Aminolhuda in a Facebook post said his side had met Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi in Saujana, Johor Bahru, on Sunday (Aug 13) to discuss the by-elections.

The Sri Gading MP said the Menteri Besar also expressed his sadness over the demise of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub while stating his commitment to assist the Pakatan candidates in the two seats.

“The bond of friendship shown by Datuk Onn Hafiz in a meeting with the leadership of Johor Amanah at his residence yesterday afternoon showed the ties between Johor Pakatan and Barisan Nasional (BN) is strong and harmonious,” he said.

The Election Commission set the nomination of candidates for the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state by-elections on Aug 26, with early voting on Sept 5 and polling day on Sept 9.

The by-election for the Pulai parliamentary seat and the Simpang Jeram state seat was held due to an unexpected vacancy following the death of Salahuddin who was also the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living on July 23. – BK