KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional will give way to Amanah to contest the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state seats, says its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Umno president, said Barisan acknowledged that the two seats in Johor “belonged” to Amanah since 2018.
“We will respect the spirit of the unity government and recognise that the rights to Pulai and Simpang Jeram seats belong to Amanah which is our friend in politics.
“We must respect them as they are the incumbents.
“As we uphold the Madani government spirit, we will support our friends in Amanah in contesting the seats,” he told reporters at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur here on Thursday (Aug 3).
Ahmad Zahid said this when asked if Barisan will be fielding any candidates for the Pulai and Simpang Jeram seats after the Election Commission had fixed Sept 9 for the two by-elections.
The Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state seats became vacant following the death of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, who was also Amanah deputy president.
Salahuddin, who was Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister, passed away on July 23 following a brain surgery. He was 61.
