KEPALA BATAS: Barisan Nasional is expected to name its candidate for the Mahkota state seat by-election in Johor in a few days.
Its secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the BN Supreme Council has yet to decide on the candidate.
Asked if the candidate would be from the women's wing since it had submitted the names of three candidates, Zambry replied: "It will be decided and announced by BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
"We accept whatever names proposed. We do not prevent any wings from submitting the names of potential candidates, whether women, youth, Puteri, or the division for the matter.
"What is important is the decision by the BN Supreme Council and that will be our candidate".
Zambry said the candidate to be fielded would be one accepted by voters in Mahkota, similar to the recent Nenggiri by-election.
Last month, Pakatan Harapan (PH) decided that it would not contest the Mahkota state seat by-election in Johor. (Hyperlink: https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2024/08/1092785/updated-ph-bows-out...)
PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed that the coalition supported BN in contesting the seat.
This decision was reached during a meeting chaired by PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Mahkota assemblywoman Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain's death on Aug 2 due to internal bleeding at the Enche' Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital in Kluang, Johor triggered the by-election.
In the 2022 Johor state election, she secured the Mahkota seat with a majority of 5,166 votes in a four-way contest.
The Election Commission has scheduled Sept 14 for candidate nominations and Sept 28 for polling in the Mahkota by-election.