Syed Hussien’s selection is right, BN will defend Mahkota State seat, says Sharkar

KUALA LUMPUR: The selection of UMNO Kluang Youth Chief Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah as the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Mahkota by-election is the right choice.

According to the Wilayahku portal, UMNO Supreme Council (MKT) member Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin said the announcement was crucial for everyone to accept BN’s decision to nominate Syed Hussien.

“Although this seat was traditionally held by UMNO Women, I believe the president has considered many factors.

“I am confident that there will be a replacement for the seat later,” he said.

Earlier, Syed Hussien was selected as the BN candidate for the Mahkota by-election on September 28.

This was announced by UMNO Johor Chief Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi at the BN Mahkota by-election Machinery Launch and Candidate Introduction Ceremony today.

Onn Hafiz stated that the selection was made after discussions and agreement with UMNO President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Meanwhile, Sharkar said Syed Hussien was chosen because he is the youth leader of the Kluang division.

He added that Syed Hussien’s proficiency in speaking Chinese also provides an advantage to BN.

“From an optics perspective, it is positive. Within UMNO, we want to thank the Kluang UMNO Division Chief, Datuk Md Jais Sarday, for stepping aside.

“This is a good optic, providing a new face for the future. It’s no longer just about the division chief, deputy division chief, and vice division chief traditionally contesting.

“Anyone within UMNO who is deemed suitable can be a candidate,” he said.

Further commenting, Sharkar said BN certainly wants to defend the Mahkota state seat and win with an even better majority than before.

He added that the combination of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and BN is hoped to deliver an even greater victory.

“A win in the Mahkota by-election will give a good momentum to the people.

“The people will see that this Unity Government is acceptable to the majority of Malaysians. The measure will be in the elections,” he said.

Sharkar also hopes that Amanah will show strong commitment in the Mahkota by-election.

“In the two previous by-elections in Johor, Amanah candidates contested, and we demonstrated our commitment and successfully defended the seat.

“This time, we hope the same spirit will be translated,” he said.

The Mahkota by-election is being held following the death of the incumbent, Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 64, on August 2.