Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub confirmed today that the party is finalising its plans to field Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad in Johor for the forthcoming 14th general election.

Salahuddin (photo), who is Johor Pakatan Harapan elections director, also did not dismiss the possibility that Khalid may be fielded against his older brother – Felda chairperson Shahrir Samad – for the Johor Bahru parliamentary seat.

"I don't deny that Amanah is in the process of ensuring that Khalid Samad is brought to Johor to further strengthen our lineup of candidates.

"I think there are also other leaders being considered by other (Harapan) parties (to contest in Johor)," Salahuddin told a press conference at Amanah's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

"If Khalid Samad is going to Johor, he will not necessarily be contesting in Johor Baru, because Johor Baru is a PKR seat," he further said.

Salahuddin said this when asked to comment on speculation that part of Pakatan Harapan's plan for Johor, led by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin (photo), includes fielding top component party leaders in the state.

Incumbent Johor Baru MP Shahrir said during an Umno-organised dialogue session on Sunday night that he would cancel his retirement plans and defend his seat in GE14 against any "heavyweight" opposition candidates, including his younger brother.

Commenting further, Salahuddin also claimed that Shahrir's response is a sign that Umno and BN are feeling the impact of Harapan's influence in Johor.

"It (decision to contest) shows that he (Shahrir) is worried. He has made several U-turns and now turning in circles at a roundabout," Salahuddin said.

Aside from Salahuddin, several Johor Harapan leaders had also claimed that Shahrir's move was a sign of Umno being in panic mode due to declining Malay support for the party.

Meanwhile, with Khalid's move to Johor being imminent, speculation was rife on his possible successor to the Shah Alam parliamentary seat.

Among others, Selangor Amanah reportedly proposed that party president Mohamad Sabu contest the seat.

Asked for comments, Salahuddin only said there is a possibility of Mohamad being fielded in Shah Alam, and that Selangor Amanah had every right to propose his name. 

On the total number of seats that Amanah aims to contest in Johor, Salahuddin said the party is bound by a Pakatan Harapan presidential council decision not to disclose the matter, ahead of its targeted deadline to complete all seat negotiations by the end of this month.