BARISAN Nasional (BN) has named Tg Malim Umno acting chief Mohd Zaini Aziz, 43, as its candidate for the Slim by-election scheduled for August 29.

The announcement was made by Perak BN chairman Saarani Mohamad, who is also the coalition’s Slim by-election director, at Felda Residence today.

The by-election is being held following the death of incumbent Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib on July 15.

Nomination is on Saturday.

Saarani said nine candidates had been proposed to be fielded as the BN’s candidate for the by-election.

“All of them are qualified and of high calibre, but only one was finally selected, the best of the best,” he said.

In the 2018 general election, Khusairi defended the seat with a majority of 2,183 votes by defeating Mohd Amran Ibrahim of Bersatu, who contested under the PKR ticket, and Muhammad Zulfadli Zainal of PAS.

Perak has 59 state seats and BN has 25 seats, Bersatu (five), PAS (three) while DAP has 16, Amanah (five), PKR (three), independent (one) and Gerakan (one).

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is expected to announce tonight the candidate of his new party Pejuang.

The candidate will be running on an independent ticket. – Bernama, August 12, 2020.