JOHOR BARU: Pejuang and Muda have decided not to contest in the Mahkota by-election.
Johor Pejuang chief Nornekman Osman said the decision was made following discussions among party leaders and the grassroots.
“We brought the matter up to our central leadership following discussions with our grassroots in Johor.
“After some deliberation, we have decided not to contest on the advice of the party central leadership,” he said when contacted.
“Pejuang president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir will have several programmes in Kluang, including a press conference today, where he may give a statement on the matter,” he added.
Meanwhile, Johor Muda chairman Mohd Azrol Ab Rahanin said the party will not be fielding a candidate and will focus on strengthening itself.
“After having meetings at the Johor Muda committee and central executive committee levels, we have decided not to contest in the Mahkota by-election.
“For now, Johor Muda will focus on our tour series across all districts in the state as part of efforts to strengthen our grassroots and rejuvenate the party,” he said in a statement yesterday.
He also expressed best wishes to those contesting in the by-election.
“Johor Muda will continue to provide checks and balances over local issues and on the importance of empowering the people’s voice through Muar MP (Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman) and Puteri Wangsa assemblyman (Amira Aisya Abd Aziz),” he said.
As of press time, Barisan Nasional’s Umno and Perikatan Nasional’s Bersatu have officially announced that they will be contesting in the by-election while Pakatan Harapan has declared its support for Barisan’s candidate.Barisan has picked Syed Hussein Syed Abdullah, 40, as its candidate for the state seat while Perikatan’s candidate is former Johor footballer Mohamad Haizan Jaafar, 61.
The Mahkota state seat became vacant when its assemblyman, Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain from Umno, passed away on Aug 2, three days after she was hospitalised.
Polling for the by-election has been set for Sept 28 while nomination day is tomorrow.
