Close ranks: Ahmad Zahid (centre) walking with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said after the launch at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. — AZMAN GHANI/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional’s candidate for the Mahkota by-election will be announced by the Johor Mentri Besar, says party chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“I’ll leave it to the Johor MB (Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi) to announce (the candidate),” he said briefly when met after launching the International Legal Conference 2024 here yesterday.
Polling day for the by-election is set for Sept 28, with nomination and early voting scheduled for Sept 14 and 24 respectively.
The seat fell vacant after its assemblyman Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 63, passed away on Aug 2.
The former Johor Wanita Umno chief won the seat with a 5,166 majority in the March 2022 state election against Amanah’s Taqiuddin Cheman, Mohamad Nor Lingan from Bersatu and Mohamed Noor Suleiman from Warisan.
On another matter, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, criticised Opposition leaders for asking him to take a break from his duties to allow an independent probe over allegations that he may have misled the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong when submitting statutory declarations (SDs) for the formation of the unity government.
“A lot of other PAS leaders should also be given a break as they are also being investigated,” he said.
He was responding to the call by PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, who urged him to go on leave while the investigation is ongoing.Ahmad Zahid also commented on the efforts by four states governed by Perikatan Nasional to form a company to mine rare earth elements (REE) in the states.
He said such a move must be done in accordance with the stipulated ecosystem.
“The SG4 (State Government 4, comprising Kedah, Perlis, Terengganu and Kelantan) has good intentions.
“However, as we know, the price of REEs has dropped significantly due to stockpiling by certain countries.
“But there is still potential. The four states can implement their own strategies, but they are still subject to the taxation and ecosystem set by the Federal Government,” said Ahmad Zahid.
It was reported that SG4 adviser Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had announced the creation of a company called SG4 Sdn Bhd for the purpose of REE mining.
The former prime minister also said that each of these four states would hold a 25% stake in the company.
