Johor polls: Barisan to follow own method in naming candidates, says Umno info chief

JOHOR BARU: Barisan Nasional does not need to follow the strategy of other parties that have started to introduce their candidates one by one who will contest in the upcoming Johor state elections, says Shahril Sufian Hamdan.

The Umno information chief said Barisan election director Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has his own approach when it comes to how and when to name the coalition's candidates.

He added that what was certain is the decision would be in the best interest of Barisan and the people in Johor.

“In the context of candidates, we are not too affected with what the other side is doing as I am sure Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his deputy, Mohamad, as well as state Umno chairman Datuk Hasni Mohammad have their methods and strategies.

“On when we will be naming the candidates, let the party leadership decide who and the timing of it as Umno and Barisan is not bound to the other parties' methods,” he added.

Shahril Sufian said this when met after attending a dialogue session with local graduates at a restaurant here on Saturday (Feb 5).

Pakatan Harapan, through DAP and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah), has so far named four candidates who would be contesting in the Johor state elections.

On Friday (Feb 4), Paloh incumbent assemblyman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali of DAP was the first candidate that was been officially announced to contest in the upcoming state polls where he would be defending his seat.

Earlier on Saturday, DAP has also named incumbent Mengkibol assemblyman Chew Chong Sin to defend his seat while Parti Amanah has fielded incumbent Pulai Sebatang assemblyman Muhammad Taqiuddin Cheman for the Mahkota seat.

The Mahkota seat was previously won by former Amanah assemblyman Muhamad Said Jonit with 19,507 votes against Umno's Datuk Md Jais Sarday (17,839) and PAS' Muhammad Hasbullah Md Najib (3,092).

In February last year, Muhamad Said and two other Amanah assemblymen left the party for PKR.