PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional candidates standing in the coming state elections have been privately informed that they are on the list and have started work, say coalition leaders.
They urged the public to be patient and wait for the announcement of the candidates as they were still conducting stringent vetting while “there is a little bit of housekeeping”.
Perikatan election director for Negri Sembilan Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said the list was ready, adding that there would be a big percentage of new faces contesting in the state.
“The list of the potential candidates for the six state elections are ready. We are merely putting the finishing touches before we reveal it to the public.
“We have our own reasons as to why we have yet to announce it,” said Ahmad Faizal, who is also Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) deputy president.
He said as Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had ordered all potential candidates to be on the ground campaigning unofficially before nomination day, those whose names were on the list had been privately informed.
He said the Perikatan ceramah trails had already started in all the six states, and that the coalition’s leaders were criss-crossing the states.
Machang MP and former Bersatu Youth (Armada) chief Wan Ahmad Fahysal Wan Ahmad Kamal said that there was a “little bit of housekeeping” before the announcement of candidates.
“We are unperturbed by the lists (put out by our opponents),” he said.
PAS vice-president and Bagan Serai MP Datuk Idris Ahmad said Perikatan would soon reveal its candidates.
“For PAS, the candidate will undergo stringent vetting by the party’s ulama consultative council.
“In some cases, it takes up to two months to ensure all aspects are covered,” said Idris, who is also part of the council.
The PAS Majlis Syura Ulama is currently headed by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Hashim Jasin.
So far, according to PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has been retained to stand in the state elections.
To date, Barisan Nasional, PKR, Amanah and Muda have announced their potential candidates for the six states.
