KUALA LUMPUR: Parties in the unity government will meet on Tuesday (Aug 27) night to finalise their findings on the Mahkota state by-election which is due on Sept 24, says Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Umno president said that he had met with Barisan parties as well as held a meeting with Pakatan Harapan parties last night (Aug 26).

“I had two meetings yesterday in Johor - one, was the Barisan Nasional meeting and then last night between Barisan and Pakatan.

“Tonight, the conclusions from the earlier two meetings will be brought and discussed.

“We (Umno) will decide on the candidate later,” said Ahmad Zahid.

Umno has yet to decide on the candidate, should the party stand in the by-election.

However, Umno Youth and Wanita Umno have both offered their choices for candidate.

The Mahkota state seat fell vacant following the death of its incumbent, Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, on Aug 2.

In the Johor state election in 2022, Sharifah Azizah, who was the Kluang Wanita Umno chief, won with a 5,166-vote majority, defeating Muhammad Tagiuddin Cheman of Pakatan Harapan, Mohamad Nor Lingan (Perikatan Nasional) and Mohamed Noor Suleiman (Warisan).

The Election Commission has set polling for the Mahkota by-election on Sept 28, with the nomination on Sept 14 and early voting on Sept 24.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/27/unity-govt-parties-to-meet-over-mahkota-by-election-tonight-says-zahid