SIMPANG RENGGAM: The Layang-Layang state seat will see a four-cornered fight between Perikatan Nasional, Parti Pejuang Tanah Air, a former assemblyman from Barisan Nasional and a former education minister from PKR.
Returning officer Abdul Hakim Abdul Manap said the four candidates were Pejuang's Ahmad Shafiq Othamah, Perikatan's Alagathiran Khrisnan, Barisan's Abd Mutalib Abd Rahim and Dr Maszlee Malik (pic) from PKR.
Dr Abd Mutalib was the former Layang-Layang assemblymen from 2013 to 2018, after he polled 8,613 votes against PKR's Mohd Ishak Shir Mohd who got 6,095 votes.
However, he was dropped as a candidate for Layang-Layang during the 14th General Election in 2018 in favour of Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
During GE14, Onn Hafiz won the Layang-Layang state seat in a three-cornered fight, garnering 7,449 votes against Pakatan Harapan’s candidate (7,085) and PAS’ candidate (1,339).
Abd Mutalib said it was a non-issue that he was nominated by Barisan as a candidate in Layang-Layang.
"That is normal as it lies with the top leadership. So there isn't an issue, I'm from Layang-Layang" said Abd Mutalib.
He added that even before nomination day on Saturday (Feb 26), he has been working the ground assisting locals.
Polling for the Johor state election is on March 12.
