MALAYSIA’S pop queen Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin the Pakatan Harapan candidate for the Semenyih by-election?

No, her name is not on the list of potential candidates, said Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir.

“It must be just a rumour. I am involved in the process of selecting the candidate. Her (Siti Nurhaliza) name has not come up so far. I do not know if there will be a suggestion later. I am not sure if she is a Bersatu member,” he said today.

Mukhriz, who is also Kedah menteri besar, was asked to comment on reports that Siti Nurhaliza would contest the Semenyih by-election on March 2 on a PH ticket.

The by-election is being held following the death of Bersatu assemblyman Bakhtiar Mohd Nor, 57, of a heart attack on January 11. Nomination is on February 16.

Meanwhile, on alleged rows over Bersatu’s candidate for the by-election, Mukhriz brushed the matter aside as nothing more than opposition propaganda.

“Whenever the name of a candidate is announced, some people quickly start a psy-war to make it seem as if there is disunity in Bersatu. This is an old tactic used in the old party (Umno). I know this is orchestrated by outsiders and not our party members.

“The candidate selection process is ongoing. We are considering all possible candidates and there is no limit on the number. These candidates are from the division, wings, Srikandi, Armada, even from outside the division,” he said.

Earlier today, Mukhriz and state executive councillors joined more than 1,000 people at a Chinese New Year open house at Dewan Seri Mentaloon in Alor Star. – Bernama, February 6, 2019.