JOHOR Amanah will hold a special meeting before August 10 to discuss prospective candidates for the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections. 

Its chairman Aminolhuda Hassan said Johor Amanah had held a meeting earlier and asked the leaders of Pulai and Bakri to submit their list of prospective candidates. 

He said Johor leaders at the regional or state level would be given priority. 

“In addition, candidates must have integrity, be approachable and people-centric as well as able to continue the Rahmah agenda of the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub,” he said. 

Aminolhuda, who is also state Pakatan Harapan deputy chairman, expressed confidence that the party would retain the two seats based on Salahuddin’s strong and proven track record.   

“Apart from the deceased who often went to the field, there are staff members of both constituencies who are very committed to reaching out and helping to solve the people’s problems if there are any,” the Sri Gading MP added. 

He also expressed gratitude for the support of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who gave way for Amanah to contest both seats. 

“In terms of preparations and party machinery, Insya-Allah, we are ready, and I am confident that the cooperation of Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) will help ensure the victory of the unity government,” he said. 

The Election Commission set the nomination day for the Pulai parliamentary seat and Simpang Jeram state seat by-elections on August 26, while early voting was set for September 5 and polling day for September 9. 

The by-elections are being called to fill seat vacancies caused by the death of incumbent Salahuddin Ayub, who was also the minister of domestic trade and cost of living, on July 23.

Meanwhile, Johor Perikatan Nasional (PN) liaison committee chairman Sahruddin Jamal said the coalition had prepared a list of 15 candidates to be considered.  

He said there were nine candidates for Pulai and another six for Simpang Jeram, and the matter would be discussed at the PN meeting in Kuala Lumpur next week. 

The Bukit Kepong assemblyman said the names were the result of a meeting held by Bersatu, PAS, and Gerakan in Pagoh yesterday afternoon. 

“For the upcoming by-elections, we are listing candidates aged 50 and below, and they are made up of locals so that it will be easy for them to carry out their respective responsibilities,” he said. – Bernama, August 4, 2023.