DR Mahathir Mohamad today named lawyer Amir Khusyari as his choice of candidate for the August 29 Slim by-election.

The former prime minister presented the 39-year-old Slim resident tonight an event attended by about 200 people.

Former deputy foreign minister Marzuki Yahya is the group’s election director for the Slim campaign.

Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, DAP’s Anthony Loke, former Kedah menteri besar Mukhriz Mahathir, former education minister Maszlee Malik, former deputy finance minister Amiruddin Hamzah and former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman were present.

Earlier today, Barisan Nasional announced that Tg Malim Umno acting chief Mohd Zaini Aziz, 43, was its candidate for the by-election.

Perak BN chairman Saarani Mohamad, who is the coalition’s by-election director for Slim, introduced Zaini at Felda Residence.

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

Nomination is on Saturday.

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

There are 59 seats in the Perak legistlative assembly, of which BN holds 25, Bersatu (five) and PAS (three. The opposition DAP has 16, Amanah (five) and PKR (three). Gerakan and an independent hold one seat each.

Meanwhile, Loke said Pakatan Harapan will not be fielding a candidate to ensure a one-on-one fight against the BN candidate. 

“PH will ensure a one-on-one fight. We feel this candidate, Amir, is the suitable candidate,” he said.

The Seremban MP added as the seat was won by Bersatu in the last election, it will allow Dr Mahathir’s candidate to contest.

“We know this seat was contested by Bersatu during Dr Mahathir’s time. Now that Bersatu has changed, it is supporting Umno in contesting here. 

“PH has decided this seat will be contested by Dr Mahathir’s candidate of choice,” Loke said. – August 12, 2020.