Ex-Semenyih assemblyman makes way for new blood

SHAH ALAM: Former Semenyih assemblyman Datuk Johan Abdul Aziz (pic) of Umno says he will not be contesting in the upcoming by-election.

Johan, who held the state seat for two terms before being defeated by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's Bakhtiar Mohd Nor in the 14th General Rlection, said he was "making way" for other potential candidates.

The Hulu Langat Umno chief said six candidates had been proposed to the party headquarters, with each one coming from a different background – professionals, as well as from Umno's Youth and Women wings.

"I will give the space and chance to my other comrades in Barisan Nasional, which is Umno," he said in a press conference at the Selangor Umno building near here on Tuesday (Jan 22).

Meanwhile, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the party and PAS would both be utilising their party machinery for the same cause in the by-election campaign.

He added that the election would be a good opportunity for the rakyat to voice their unhappiness and dissatisfaction with the Pakatan Harapan government.

"It is a chance for the people in Semenyih to voice their dissatisfaction and translate (their sentiments) into votes," he said.

Ismail had previously announced that the party would be joining forces with PAS in campaigning for the Semenyih by-election, with PAS also having announced that it had decided to make way for Barisan.

The nomination date has been set for Feb 16, while polling date is on March 2.

The seat, which is in Selangor, fell vacant following the death of assemblyman Bakhtiar Mohd Nor on Jan 11 from a heart attack. He was 57.

In GE14, Bakhtiar defeated candidates from Barisan, PAS and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) in a four-cornered fight, with a majority of 8,964 votes. He garnered 23, 428 votes.