KOTA BARU: Kelantan Umno is currently deliberating over its candidate selection for the upcoming Nenggiri by-election set for Aug 17, emphasising the party's strategic approach to securing the seat.
Umno's state information chief Datuk Zawawi Othman highlighted the importance of thorough consideration in nominating the candidate:
"As a party, we are carefully studying the list of potential candidates. The upcoming by-election holds significant importance for us, and we are committed to making a suitable and impactful decision," he said.
The decision follows BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's announcement yesterday of Umno's participation in the election.
The Umno president said veteran Umno leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who is the Gua Musang Umno division chief, had been appointed as the Nenggiri by-election director, while Kelantan Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub had been named as the by-election operations director.
Reflecting on the party's preparations, Zahid expressed confidence in Umno's readiness.
"All division leaders will converge in Nenggiri to support our candidate. We are determined to regain the Nenggiri seat," he said.
The Election Commission (EC) has scheduled candidate nominations for Aug 3, with early voting set for Aug 13.
The polling day on Aug 17 will involve 20,259 registered voters, and the EC has allocated RM1.6 million for the electoral process.
The election was called after the Kelantan state assembly declared the Nenggiri state seat vacant on June 19.
Its former assemblyman Mohd Azizi Abu Naim from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) who is also the Member of Parliament for Gua Musang, initially sought legal interventiondismissed by the High Court.