ALOR STAR: A candidate from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) is likely to represent Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the Nenggiri by-election to defend the Kelantan state seat.
PN election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said he believed Bersatu would be representing the coalition based on the incumbency principle.
"PN has not decided yet (whether the candidate will be from Bersatu or Pas). I don't have an issue if the candidate is from Bersatu or Pas, as we are contesting under the PN coalition.
"There was a statement by the Pas Youth chief from the (Gua Musang) division recently proposing the candidate (to be picked) from Pas.
"However, as we understand, the seat (in the previous state election) was contested by a former Bersatu assemblyman.
"I don't think there will be any change. That's my personal opinion, but PN leadership will decide on the candidate.
"I was informed that Bersatu has presented three potential candidates to the PN leadership for consideration," he said after chairing the state executive council meeting in Wisma Darul Aman here today.
Sanusi, who is also Kedah Menteri Besar, said PN was expected to announce its candidate on July 31, three days before the nomination day.
On Monday, Kelantan Bersatu chief Datuk Kamaruddin Md Nor said the party has yet to make a decision on the candidate.
It was reported that Gua Musang Umno youth chief Sheikh Razali Hamidi was being tipped to be fielded as PN candidate.
On July 18, Kelantan Umno Youth chief Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani was announced as Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the polls.
The Nenggiri by-election was called after Kelantan Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah declared the seat, previously held by Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, vacant.
Azizi, who is also the Gua Musang member of parliament, was among the seven elected representatives booted out by Bersatu for supporting the unity government.
In the Kelantan state election held in August last year, Azizi won Nenggiri with a narrow majority of 810 votes in a straight fight against a Barisa Nasianal candidate.
The Election Commission has fixed Aug 13 for the nomination process, with the early voting process set on Aug 13 followed by polling day on Aug 17.