BAGAN DATUK: Barisan Nasional is expected to name its candidate for the Ayer Kuning by-election a week before the nomination day.
Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the candidate was selected from a list of six names submitted by Tapah Umno with the state liaison committee having a say in the matter.
"I hope this candidate meets the criteria expected by the residents and voters of Ayer Kuning and Tapah so that we can replicate our success in previous by-elections," he said at a press conference after attending the Ihya' Ramadan Al-Mubarak Programme here today.
When asked about coordination between Barisan and Pakatan Harapan for the by-election, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president, said that the Barisan- Pakatan leadership as well as component parties within Barisan had reached an understanding.
"(MIC deputy president and Tapah MP) Datuk Seri M Saravanan and MCA state leaders have contacted me and I have discussed with the war room committee at the national-level regarding the groundwork," he said.
Polling day for the Ayer Kuning by-election is on April 26, with the nomination and early voting dates scheduled for April 12 and April 22, respectively.
The by-election is being held following the passing of its incumbent, Ishsam Shahruddin, 58, on Feb 22 due to a heart attack after a football match in George Town, Penang.
Ishsam, who had been the Tapah Umno chief since 2018, won the Ayer Kuning seat in the 15th General Election in November 2022 with a majority of 2,213 votes in a five-cornered contest.
Meanwhile, during Monday's programme, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Bagan Datuk MP, distributed aid to over 1,000 recipients under the Bagan Datuk Asnaf Contribution Programme and the Ceria ke Sekolah 2025 initiative. – Bernama
