With nomination day for the Permatang Pasir state seat by-election just around the corner, arch-rivals Umno and PAS have been quick to come up with a list names of potential of candidates.

Umno has apparently short-listed four candidates whose names will be considered during a meeting tonight, before being forwarded to Umno's top leadership for a final decision which will announced this Friday.

NONE According an Umno source, the four are Permatang Pauh division chief Mohd Nasir Abdullah, Permatang Pauh division youth chief Zaidi Mohd Said, Permatang Pauh deputy division chief Rahim Man and Permatang Pauh division committee member Abdul Aziz Sheikh Ahmad.

The source said that age factor played a crucial element in the selection of candidates for the state seat. Besides being matured, experienced, friendly and educated, he must above the age of 40," said the source.

The source also added, the more siblings a candidate has, the better his chances of getting nominated.

The Election Commission (EC) yesterday fixed Aug 17 as nomination day, and Aug 25 as polling day - which falls under Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

The state seat, fell vacant following the death of PAS elected representative Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman last month.

Permatang Pasir PAS stronghold

Permatang Pasir - which is one of three seats in PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim's Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency - is the sole PAS seat in Penang and is considered its stronghold.

In the last general election on March 8, 2008, Mohd Hamdan garnered 11,004 votes, defeating Umno candidate Ahmad Sahar Shuhaib by a majority of 5,433 votes.

Malaysiakini

reported yesterday that PAS central committee had discussed five names to be coonsidered, including PAS Penang commissioner Salleh Man and its central committee member Mohamad Sabu.

However, the committee has yet to decide on the matter as the final decision lies with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang ( below ).

pas muktamar 070609 hadi awang 02 Three other names making the rounds are: PAS Penang deputy commissioner Rosidi Hussain, Penang youth chief Mohd Yusni Mohd Piah, and special aide to late Mohd Hamdan, Shamsul Kamal Sahpie.

But both Salleh and Mohamad are already considered the ‘favourite' front-runners to contest the by-election.

However, the Umno source said the party is confident of winning as the people understand the current political landscape and know that they must choose a candidate who can serve them well.

"Barisan Nasional will emerge victorious as most of the voters are not satisfied with Pakatan Rakyat's unfulfilled promises since it took over the state government last year.

"For example, they (Pakatan) promised to abolish the Sungai Nyior RM0.50 toll that is connected to Permatang Pauh route, but we have yet see them fulfil their promise," said the source.