PAKATAN Harapan’s (PH) candidate for Pulai, Suhaizan Kaiat, is confident of winning the seat in next month’s by-election if the voter turnout exceeds 70%.

The Johor assembly’s former speaker said a lower turnout would pose the biggest challenge to PH.

Suhaizat, who is also state Amanah vice-chairman said, parties under the PH coalition will assist in the campaigning and find ways to encourage the Johor people to cast their votes come September 9.

“I have been focusing on the Pulai area for a long time and there is compatibility (between him and the people). The community’s response appears to be positive so I hope they will choose the best candidate,” he told reporters after meeting with the Indian community at the Arulmigu Raja Mariamman Temple in Johor Baru today.

The Pulai Amanah division chief said he has met with Pulai Umno division chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed recently to seek his assistance in campaigning for the by-election, thereby mobilising 18,000 Umno members in the area.

When asked about Perikatan Nasional candidate Zulkifli Jaafar, Suhaizan said he will not belittle his opponent as he respects the Pulai Bersatu division deputy chief and hopes for a fair contest.

The Pulai parliamentary seat and the Simpang Jeram state seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Salahuddin Ayub on July 23.

The Election Commission has fixed August 26 for nomination, September 5 for early voting and September 9 for polling for both by-elections. – Bernama, August 23, 2023.