GEORGE TOWN: Speculation is rife regarding who Perikatan Nasional (PN) will field for the Sungai Bakap by-election on July 6.
What is certain is that the candidate will come from Pas.
Prior to this, it had been widely speculated that state Pas secretary Iszuree Ibrahim might be fielded.
However, Iszuree himself has claimed otherwise.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Iszuree stated that many had speculated that he would be fielded.
While some were happy with the speculation, others were not amused, he added.
"Thank you for promoting me for free.
"The people can say whatever they want. What is important is that I'm not the one," he said.
Iszuree said he had been entrusted by the party to do the "runaround".
"Wherever I am required, I will carry out my job.
"Who is the candidate? The decision lies with the national Pas leadership," he added.
When the New Straits Times reached out to Iszuree on the above matter, he merely answered "bukan" (not the candidate).
Pas had confirmed that the names of three potential candidates for the Sungai Bakap by-election had been submitted to the Syura Ulama Council.
Iszuree is said to be among the names tipped to represent PN.
Another name is the late Sungai Bakap assemblyman Nor Zamri Latiff's wife, Musalmah Yusof.
Musalmah is the Pas Muslimat leader in Nibong Tebal.
The by-election was called following the death of Zamri on May 24.
Zamri died after being admitted to hospital for stomach inflammation.
In last year's state polls, he won the Sungai Bakap state seat against PKR's Nurhidayah Che Rus with a 1,563 vote-majority.
On Wednesday, the unity government named ex-teacher Dr Joohari Ariffin as the pact's candidate for the Sungai Bakap by-election.
Co-chair of the unity government election machinery steering committee Rafizi Ramli said the decision to field Joohari received blessings from all members of the unity government.
He said Joohari fitted the bill, being a local face in Sungai Bakap and an educator, who had served in various educational institutions there.