UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has poured scorn on Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s claim that the Simpang Jeram state seat by-election would serve as a gateway for Perikatan Nasional (PN) to establish a foothold in Johor.

“Ask him why he said that. I have no right to dispute someone’s insanity,” Zahid told reporters after accompanying Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Suhaizan Kaiat to the nomination centre for the Pulai parliamentary seat by-election this morning.

Sanusi previously urged Simpang Jeram voters to “experiment” at the ballot box and vote for the opposition coalition on September 9.

“It starts here (in Simpang Jeram) before we take over the state in another two-and-a-half years (when Johor must hold its state elections),” Sanusi, who is PN election director, said.

Zahid said more work must be done to ensure the unity alliance’s grassroots were on the same page.

“Cooperation between party leaders at state and national levels has been going well. However, I acknowledge that the grassroots need more time,” he said.

Polling for the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections is on September 9, while early voting is on September 5.

For the Pulai seat, PH candidate Suhaizan Kaiat, who is former Johor assembly speaker, will face PN’s Zulkifli Jaafar and Independent candidate Samsudin Mohamad Fauzi.

For the Simpang Jeram by-election, PH’s Nazri Abdul Rahman, who is Bakri Amanah deputy chief, will face PN’s Dr Mohd Mazri Yahya, who is a PAS central committee member, and businessman S. Jeganathan. – August 26, 2023.