The opposition alliance will hold a meeting soon to decide whether it will field a PAS or a PKR candidate in the Merlimau state seat by-election.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said the opposition has many

candidates to choose from.

The date of the meeting had yet to be decided, he told reporters after speaking at a discourse on empowering the minds of the people in Shah Alam today.

He was commenting on PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin's remarks that although PAS deserved to contest the seat according to the status quo, the prevailing circumstances favoured a PKR candidate.

The Merlimau state seat fell vacant after two-time BN assemblyman Mohamad Hidhir Abu Hassan died of a heart attack on Jan 20. He

was 54.

The Election Commission has set nomination day for the by-election on Feb 26 and polling on March 6.

In the 2008 general election, Mohamad Hidhir, who was also a state executive councillor, defeated PAS' Jasme Tompang by 2,154 votes.

- Bernama