JOHOR BARU: A crowded field is expected for the upcoming Mahkota by-election as several smaller parties are considering fielding their candidates.
Johor Muda chairman Mohd Azrol Ab Rahanin said the party is considering fielding a candidate.
“For now, the decision is still 50-50 as we are waiting for some decisions to be finalised in the next two or three days by our political bureau and central executive committees before.
“Once a decision has been made, Johor Muda will come out with an official statement on whether we will contest,” he said when contacted.
Pejuang had meetings of grassroots leaders in Kluang recently to discuss contesting in Mahkota.
Its Johor chief Nornekman Osman said it has already shortlisted two of its members, one a woman, to be considered as candidates in the event the party decides to contest.
“One of the candidates has contested previously while another is a new face.
“Johor Pejuang will have a meeting with party leaders in Kuala Lumpur next week to discuss this and hopefully come to a final decision,” he said.
Johor PSM chairman R. Arangkanal said the party is considering contesting as well.
It is learnt that Sabah-based Parti Warisan, which contested six seats in the Johor state election in 2022, including Mahkota, will sit out the by-election this time.
“It is highly unlikely we will contest in Mahkota. For now, our focus is mostly centred on Sabah,” said a source from the party who declined to be named.
However, when contacted, Johor Warisan chief coordinator Suhaimi Salleh said the party has yet to make any decision on the matter.
The Election Commission has set Sept 28 as polling day for the Mahkota by-election, while nominations and early voting have been set for Sept 14 and 24 respectively.
The seat fell vacant after the death of its assemblyman Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 63, on Aug 2.
Sharifah Azizah, a former Johor Wanita Umno chief, won with a majority of 5,166 votes in the March 2022 state election against Amanah’s Taqiuddin Cheman, Mohamad Nor Lingan from Bersatu, and Mohamed Noor Suleiman from Warisan.
As at press time, only Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional have announced their intention to contest in the by-election.
Pakatan Harapan has declared support for unity government partner Barisan, whose candidate will come from Umno.
Perikatan has shortlisted three names to contest the by-election.
