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THE list of candidates to represent Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the upcoming by-election for the Ayer Kuning State Legislative Assembly seat will be finalised next week, following discussions among the party leadership.
PN’s Election Director, Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, stated that a long list of potential candidates had been submitted, involving every wing of the party, and is currently under review. However, the shortlist is yet to be compiled.
"We have received many candidate suggestions, but the shortlist is not ready yet. This matter will be discussed and finalised on 20th March," he explained.
He made these remarks to the press after officiating the launch of the PN campaign machinery for the Ayer Kuning by-election at Padang Awam Tapah Road on Saturday.
Also present at the event were PAS Vice-President Datuk Idris Ahmad; Vice-President of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Bersatu Perak Chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu; and Bersatu Vice-President Datuk Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin.
When questioned about the criteria for selecting candidates, Sanusi confirmed that the chosen candidate would be a local figure.
"The candidate will be a local... no, I won't be running here. We have a mix of youth, women, and people from various age groups, all of whom will be considered carefully. We have had decades of experience in selecting candidates," he added.
The by-election for the Ayer Kuning seat was called following the death of its previous holder, Allahyarham Ishsam Shahruddin, who passed away from a heart attack on 22nd February after participating in a football tournament in Penang.
Ishsam, who had been the Head of UMNO’s Tapah Division since 2018, won the seat in the 15th General Election (GE15) with a majority of 2,213 votes in a five-cornered contest.
The Election Commission (EC) has set 12th April for the nomination of candidates, with early voting to take place on 22nd April and polling scheduled for 26th April. There are 31,897 registered voters in the constituency. – March 16, 2025