Dr M seeks fit, smart and sympathetic candidate for Semenyih

Bersatu's candidate for the Semenyih by-election on March 2 will have to fulfil many criteria, according to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"He must be fit, very intelligent, very sympathetic towards the people and also towards the press and all that.

"We'll find the best candidate," he said after chairing the Bersatu supreme council meeting in Petaling Jaya today.

Mahathir also expressed his confidence that Pakatan Harapan could retain the Malay-majority state seat. 

“However, we have to remember that there may be more than two parties contesting, so the Malay votes might split.

“Of course that can be very bad for some parties, but based on our assessment we're convinced that we still have a good chance of winning,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

The Semenyih electorate comprises 68 percent Malay voters, 17 percent Chinese voters, and 14 percent Indian voters.

The contest is expected to be keenly watched following the polls in Cameron Highlands, where Pakatan Harapan tasted its first defeat after four straight by-election wins.

The late Bakhtiar Mohd Nor of Bersatu – who passed away on Jan 11 – won the state seat during the 14th general election by securing 50.3 percent of the vote.

Harapan's chosen candidate is expected to face an Umno pick who will be supported by PAS, which proved to be a valuable ally during the Cameron Highlands by-election.

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