JOHOR BAHRU: Johor Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) will hold a special meeting before Aug 10 on the list of prospective candidates for the Pulai parliament seat and the Simpang Jeram state seat by-elections.

State Pakatan Harapan (PH) deputy chairman Aminolhuda Hassan said that Johor Amanah had held a meeting earlier and asked the leaders of Pulai and Bakri to submit their list of prospective candidates.

He said that Johor leaders at the regional or state level will be given priority and these individuals must be among the best leaders.

"In addition, candidates must have integrity, be approachable and people-centric as well as able to continue the Rahmah agenda of the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub," he said when contacted by Bernama here today.

Aminolhuda who is also the state Amanah chairman, expressed confidence that the party will retain the two seats based on Salahuddin's proven track record as a people's representative.

"Apart from the deceased who often went to the field, there are staff members of both constituencies who are very committed to reaching out to the people and helping to solve the people's problems if there are any," added the Sri Gading Member of Parliament.

He also expressed gratitude for the support of UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who gave way for Amanah to contest both seats.

"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 said.

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

The by-elections are being called due to the unexpected vacancy of the seats following the death of the incumbent, Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, who was the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, on July 23.

Meanwhile, Johor Perikatan Nasional (PN) Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal said the coalition had listed 15 names of candidates to be brought to the central level.

He said the names of nine prospective candidates for the Pulai parliamentary seat and another six for the Simpang Jeram state seat will be brought to the PN meeting in Kuala Lumpur next week.

The Bukit Kepong assemblyman said the names were the result of a meeting held by Bersatu, PAS and Gerakan in Pagoh, yesterday afternoon.

"For the upcoming by-elections, we are listing candidates aged 50 and below and they are made up of locals so that it will be easy for them to carry out their respective responsibilities," he said.

-- BERNAMA