Pulai by-election: Pakatan candidate wants to carry on Salahuddin's legacy

JOHOR BARU: Keeping the legacy of the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub alive is a top priority for Pakatan Harapan's candidate for the Pulai by-election, Suhaizan Kaiat.

The former state assembly speaker said that he wants to continue serving the people in the same way Salahuddin used to.

"I am grateful to the party for giving me the chance to defend the Pulai seat and trusting me with continuing Salahuddin's legacy. Salahuddin has always set a high standard for all of his officers and wants us to work hard in serving the people the same way he does," he said.

"For me, it is important that we maintain his legacy, especially his efforts in serving the people in Pulai. I hope to be able to do this," added Suhaizan.

He said this to reporters when met at the Sara Hidup Outreach programme at a hotel here in Johor Baru.

Suhaizan, who was also Salahuddin's political secretary, said that he had been the Pulai Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) division chief since the inception of the party in 2015.

"Prior to that, I was the Pulai PAS division chief since 2008 before we left the party and formed Amanah. Even when I was a state speaker, I still continued serving the people of Pulai and many people from the area know me," said Suhaizan.

"I believe this will help my chances of winning the seat," he added.

He said that despite contesting in six other seats previously and not winning a single one, he has not lost hope.

"This is the second time I am contesting a Parliamentary seat and seventh time contesting in general. For me, not winning elections many times is not an issue as I am still young and there is always room to try again. As long as I am given the opportunity, I will try," he said.

Suhaizan said that he contested for the first time in 2004 for the Parit Sulong state seat and the Kempas state seat in 2008.

In 2013, he contested both the Kempas state seat and the Tanjung Piai parliamentary seat while in 2018 the Kukup state seat.

In the Johor state election last year, he contested the Pulai Sebatang seat.

On Saturday (Aug 19), Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu announced that Suhaizan is set to contest the upcoming Pulai by-election while Bakri Amanah deputy chief Nazri Abdul Rahman will contest the Simpang Jeram state seat.

Suhaizan, 50, was a computer science graduate who previously worked as Salahuddin's political secretary until the latter's death on July 23 this year.

Among others, Suhaizan manages the Pulai service centre as the Pulai Amanah chief and was also the Johor Amanah vice chairman.

Nomination day for the Simpang Jeram state seat and Pulai parliamentary by-elections has been set for Aug 26.

Polling will be on Sept 9 while early voting on Sept 5.

Salahuddin, who was the elected representative for both seats, died on July 23 due to a brain haemorrhage. He was 61.

He was the Amanah deputy president and had served as the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister.