KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 — The Pulai and Simpang Jeram seats may belong to Parti Amanah Negara but the Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council will decide on their candidates for the two by-elections, before bringing the matter to the Unity Government Leadership Consultative Council, said Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“We normally respect the old decision. Those are Amanah seats but the Pakatan Harapan Council will decide. Then I will raise it at the Unity Government Council,” said Anwar, who is the Prime Minister, after opening the Malaysian Commercialisation Year Summit 2023, earlier today.
Yesterday, Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the coalition was making way for Amanah to contest in the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state by-elections next month.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said BN made this decision in the spirit of political partnership in the Unity Government.
The Election Commission announced yesterday that polling for the two by-elections is on September 9, with nominations on August 26 and early voting on September 5.
The two seats fell vacant following the death of the incumbent representative Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, on July 23.
Salahuddin, 61, who was also the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, died at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Setar after undergoing surgery for a brain haemorrhage.
— Bernama
