Both PAS and Umno will announce their candidates for the Permatang Pasir by-election at two separate functions tomorrow.

Umno will be announcing its candidate first at 4pm to be followed by PAS at 9pm - both events are to be held in the state consitutuency in mainland Penang.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang told reporters after the supreme council meeting of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition today that the candidate had already been selected.

The by-election is being held following the death of incumbent Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman, 63, of PAS, on July 31.

Nomination has been set for Aug 17 and polling on Aug 25, in the event of a contest.

PKR advisor Anwar Ibrahim said both PKR and DAP supported the PAS candidate.

NONE The meeting was also attended by PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, Selangor PAS commissioner Dr Hasan Mohamed Ali and Selangor state executive councillor Ronnie Liu.

Both Hasan and Liu, who have been at odds over a number of controversial issues including Selangor PAS effort to ban alcohol sales in Muslim-majority areas, took the opportunity to shake hands.

- Bernama