KLUANG: All three candidates who have been shortlisted by Johor Perikatan Nasional to contest in the Mahkota by-election are said to be from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
It is learnt that two of them had contested in previous elections while the other is a new face and a football coach.
According to a source, one of the potential candidates is Mohamad Nor Lingan, who contested for the same seat during the state polls in 2022.
The 48-year-old businessman, who is also Kluang Bersatu division chief, lost in a four-cornered fight.
Talk is rife that Dzulkarnain Alias, who was vying for the Kluang parliamentary seat in the last general election, is also another potential candidate.
Dzulkarnain lost to DAP's Wong Shu Qi in a four-cornered contest.
The third candidate is said to be Mohamad Haizan Jaafar, 58, who was the Kluang football head coach and retired footballer.
"Despite being a new face, Mohamad Haizan is well-known by the locals.
"He has been a Bersatu member for the past four years and is also the party's Ladang Mengkibol branch chief," said the source.
On Wednesday (Aug 14), Johor Perikatan chairman Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal said the coalition had shortlisted three names for the upcoming Mahkota by-election.
"We have identified three candidates and will be submitting their names to the central leadership this week.
"We will leave it to them to decide and make the announcement," he said.
Dr Sahruddin said the shortlisted candidates are a mix of first-time candidates and those who have contested in past elections.
The Mahkota seat fell vacant following the passing of its assemblyman Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain on Aug 2.
Sharifah Azizah, 63, died at Hospital Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom in Kluang after suffering from health issues.
The Election Commission has set Sept 28 for the by-election.
