Harapan confirms BN candidate will contest Mahkota polls

A BN candidate will contest the Mahkota by-election, Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said today.

According to him, the decision was taken in a Harapan leadership meeting held last week.

“Harapan agrees that BN will contest (the state seat) to respect the incumbency, as how BN did during the Pulai and Jeram by-elections last September.

“Harapan will give full support (to the BN candidate) as the coalition government prioritises winning the state seat,” Saifuddin (above) said in a statement.

Before this, BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said a BN candidate will represent the coalition government in the upcoming Mahkota by-election.

Incumbency

The deputy prime minister said it is customary for the party that holds the state or parliamentary seat involved to contest it again.

“We know that the Mahkota state seat is in a relatively promising area for us (BN) to continue winning, and of course, we want coordination with all parties in the coalition government.

“Usually, the understanding serving as the formula for the coalition government is that the seat held by any party should be contested again by that party.

“Therefore, I don’t want statements from leaders (of other parties), big or small, claiming any seats,” he reportedly told a press conference.

Sept 28 by-election

It is worth noting that Kluang Amanah wanted to contest the seat. Party president Mohamad Sabu said that while the party supports the principle of giving way to the incumbent party in by-elections, it is not set in stone.

The Election Commission set Sept 28 as the polling day for the by-election, with nomination day and early voting scheduled for Sept 14 and 24, respectively.

The Mahkota by-election is being called following the death of its assemblyperson, Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 63, on Aug 2 at Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital in Kluang.

In the Johor state election in March 2022, Sharifah, who represented BN, won the seat with a majority of 5,166 votes.

Johor Umno Youth lauds Harapan

Johor Umno Youth lauded Harapan’s official stand in letting BN contest the Mahkota seat.

“This reflects Harapan’s commitment to nurturing the spirit of cooperation in Johor,” its chief Noor Azleen Ambros said in a statement.

With that said, he urged leaders from the coalition government to focus their efforts on winning the seat.

“And we must reject Perikatan Nasional’s divisive agenda. Don’t allow them to gain traction in Johor,” Azleen added.

Mahkota heads to polls on Sept 28

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