Johor’s Amanah to name Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-election candidates tonight

JOHOR BARU, Aug 7 — The Johor chapter of Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) is expected to name the state’s candidates after a special meeting here tonight as preparations for the upcoming Pulai parliamentary and the Simpang Jeram state by-elections next month.

It is understood that at least six names, including daughter of the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub and his former political aide, have been proposed for the by-election.

Salahuddin, who was the Pulai and Simpang Jeram elected representative, died on July 23 following an aneurysm earlier that week.

A Johor Amanah source said the names of two prospective candidates for the Pulai parliamentary seat and another four for the Simpang Jeram state seat will be brought to the special meeting held at the party’s Kangkar Pulai office here at 8.30pm tonight.

“Among the names proposed by the party’s state leadership for Pulai is former Johor state legislative speaker Suhaizan Kaiat and Amanah’s national communications director Khalid Abdul Samad.

“For Simpang Jeram, the names proposed are Johor Amanah secretary Mohd Faizul Mohd Salleh, Amanah’s national young women wing (Warda) representative Siti Fatihah Salahuddin, former Pulai Sebatang assemblyman Muhammad Taqiuddin Cheman and former Maharani assemblyman Nor Hayati Bachok,” said the source to Malay Mail on condition of anonymity today.

He was responding to the special meeting tonight, chaired by Johor Amanah chief Aminolhuda Hassan, that is believed to finalise the candidates based on a list of names proposed by the Pulai and Bakri divisions.

Simpang Jeram, a state seat in northern Johor, comes under the state Amanah’s Bakri parliamentary division.

The same source pointed out that Khalid’s name for Pulai was proposed by the party’s central leadership as the south Johor parliament is considered a solid Pakatan Harapan (PH) seat.

However, he believed that Johor Amanah will prioritise Suhaizan as he was also Salahuddin’s former political secretary before the latter’s demise.

Another party source, who concurred on the proposed names, said that Khalid will possibly not be considered as to avoid possible friction within Johor Amanah’s leadership.

“Basically, Suhaizan is a natural replacement for Salahuddin in Pulai as he is also no stranger to the constituency as he is the Kempas zone (under Pulai) coordinator.

“Besides being the former Johor state legislative speaker, Suhaizan also has been a state seat candidate for most elections and had also stood as the Kempas candidate under PAS in 2008,” said the source to Malay Mail.

On the four names for the Simpang Jeram state seat, the same source said all the candidates named had their respective strengths.

He said the candidates named were also from the party’s youth division or are from the women’s wing.

“Both Muhammad Taqiuddin and Nor Hayati were former assemblymen and have served for one term before.

“Muhammad Taqiuddin is also an active Johor Amanah and state PH youth leader and Nor Hayati is the state party’s leadership women’s chief,” said the source.

The source added that activist and lawyer Siti Fatihah, being Salahuddin’s daughter, was also named for her role as a possible replacement.

Similarly, Mohd Faizul is also a capable party leader who is active in Johor Amanah’s activities in the state and Muar.

“In fact, Mohd Faizul, being a Muar and Bakri local, was also initially named as a possible candidate in last year’s Johor state polls,” said the source.

Last Friday, it was reported that Johor Amanah will hold a special meeting before August 10 on the list of prospective candidates for the Pulai parliament seat and the Simpang Jeram state seat by-elections.

Aminolhuda, who is also Johor PH deputy chief, said that Johor leaders at the regional or state level will be given priority and these individuals must be among the best leaders.

“In terms of preparations and party machinery, Insya-Allah, we are ready and I am confident that the cooperation of the Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) will help ensure the victory of the unity government,” he was reported saying.

The Election Commission set the nomination day for the Pulai parliamentary seat and the Simpang Jeram state seat by-elections on August 26, while the early voting on September 5 and the polling day on September 9.

The by-elections are being called due to the unexpected vacancy of the seats following the death of the incumbent, Salahuddin, who was the minister of domestic trade and cost of living, on July 23.