GERAKAN today announced it will contest the upcoming Tg Piai by-election in Johor.

Party president Dominic Lau said the decision was made following requests from the party’s grassroots.

The party will face candidates from its former partner, Barisan Nasional, and Bersatu on November 16.

“The central committee has decided that party deputy president Oh Tong Keong will be appointed as the by-election machinery director,” Lau said after chairing the party’s central committee meeting at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

“The operations centre will be led by former Skudai assemblyman Teo Kok Chee, who is also Johor Gerakan chairman,” he added.

The Tg Piai by-election was triggered by the death of its incumbent, Md Farid Md Rafik, from Bersatu.

The Election Commission set nomination day for November 2.

Bersatu will contest again in the seat but has not decided on its candidate. At the BN end, the local Umno division is seeking to contest in place of MCA, which had held the seat traditionally until the last general election.

In the 14th general election, Dr Farid defeated BN’s Wee Jeck Seng of MCA and PAS’ Nordin Othman. – October 12, 2019.