JOHOR BARU: Talk of Wanita Umno and the Youth wing eyeing the Mahkota state seat has been laid to rest by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said there was no infighting, adding that it was ultimately up to him as Barisan Nasional chairman to decide who would become the candidate for the state seat.
“There is no ‘grabbing’ of the seat. The one who will decide is the BN chairman,” Ahmad Zahid said, referring to himself.
He was met outside the Johor Mentri Besar’s official residence at Saujana here yesterday after chairing a special meeting with the state Umno liaison committee over the Sept 28 by-election.
The Deputy Prime Minister was asked to comment on the alleged infighting between the Wanita Umno and Youth wings over the Mahkota candidacy.
Ahmad Zahid said the selection of the candidate had yet to be finalised as they were looking into certain processes, besides ensuring that Umno fields a candidate who is winnable.
He said their aim was to maintain the majority won by the late Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain.
He noted that the by-election called for a different approach compared with the recently-concluded Nenggiri polls.
“The number of voters in Mahkota is three times higher compared with Nenggiri.
“Our approach will also be different because Mahkota has 34% Chinese voters, while Nenggiri only has 19 Chinese people.”
Ahmad Zahid said he had met with Pakatan Harapan leaders as Mahkota’s neighbouring state seat Mengkibol and the Kluang parliamentary seat are currently held by DAP.
“Each party in the unity government will have a role to play, including MCA and MIC, as well as Friends of BN,” he added.
The seat in the Kluang district was left vacant following the passing of its incumbent Sharifah Azizah of Umno on Aug 2.
Nomination for the by-election has been set for Sept 14, while early voting will be on Sept 24.
