UMNO’S former Semenyih elected representative Johan Abd Aziz has decided to give way to a younger and local-born candidate to contest in the coming by-election for the state seat.

The Hulu Langat Umno chief also said he does not want the party to bring in a parachute candidate for the by-election which will be held on March 2.

“It’s not only the generals who should be contesting,” he said during a press conference held jointly by Umno and PAS in Shah Alam today.

PAS had previously announced that it will not be contesting in the by-election and will instead support Umno against Pakatan Harapan’s candidate.

The Semenyih by-election was triggered by the death of its assemblyman – Mohd Bakhtiar Mohd Nor of Bersatu – of a heart attack on January 11.

PAS’ decision to sit out in favour of BN is a continuation of a trend in which the Islamist party cooperates with Umno to work against PH.

Johan also said Selangor Umno has shortlisted six names for the by-election. The names have been sent to the Umno leadership for a final decision.

He added not all of the six shortlisted candidates hold positions in the Umno division.

“We held a meeting last week and picked on our suggested candidates who are youths, women and professional. All these names are Semenyih voters.

“It is now up to the wisdom of BN leaders to decide who to name as our candidate,” he said.

In the 14th general election last May, Bakhtiar polled 23,428 votes to beat candidates from BN, PAS and PSM to win by 8,964 votes.

Johan was defeated in the last general election after holding the seat since 2008.

PSM’s S. Arutchelvan has also been contesting the state seat since 2008. – January 22, 2019.