KUALA LUMPUR: The Barisan Nasional candidate for the Mahkota by-election will be named by Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, says coalition chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“I’ll leave it to the Johor MB to announce (the candidate),” he said briefly to the media after launching the International Legal Conference 2024 here on Thursday (Sept 5).

Onn Hafiz heads the Barisan machinery for the by-election.

The polling day for the by-election is set for Sept 28, with nominations and early voting scheduled for Sept 14 and 24 respectively.

The seat fell vacant after its assemblyman Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 63, passed away on Aug 2.

Sharifah Azizah, a former Johor Wanita Umno chief, won the seat with a 5,166 majority in the March 2022 state election against Amanah’s Taqiuddin Cheman, Mohamad Nor Lingan of Bersatu, and Mohamed Noor Suleiman of Parti Warisan.

Ahmad Zahid also clapped back at calls by Opposition leaders asking him to “take a break” to allow an independent probe over allegations that he may have misled the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong when submitting statutory declarations (SDs) for the formation of the unity government.

“Some (opposition) leaders should also 'take a break' since they are also being investigated,” he said.

PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man had urged Ahmad Zahid to go on leave while the investigation was ongoing.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/09/05/mahkota-polls-johor-mb-will-name-barisan-candidate-says-zahid