3-cornered fights in Pulai, Simpang Jeram by-elections

 

(From left) Pakatan Harapan’s Suhaizan Kaiat, Perikatan Nasional’s Zulkifli Jaafar, and independent Samsudin Fauzi at the Dewan Jubli Intan in Johor Bahru after submitting their nomination papers. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The by-elections for the Pulai parliamentary seat and Simpang Jeram state seat will each see a three-cornered fight come Sept 9.

Aside from the candidates announced earlier by Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN), two independent candidates have thrown their hats into the ring as well.

At the Dewan Jubli Intan nomination centre in Johor Bahru, the Election Commission (EC) returning officer announced the acceptance of nomination papers from PH’s Suhaizan Kaiat, PN’s Zulkifli Jaafar and independent Samsudin Fauzi for the Pulai seat.

As for Simpang Jeram, PH candidate Nazri Abdul Rahman, PN’s Dr Mazri Yahya and independent S Jeganathan have successfully submitted their nomination papers.

Both seats were left vacant following the death of incumbent Salahuddin Ayub on July 23. He was also Amanah deputy president as well as domestic trade and cost of living minister.

Salahuddin won the Pulai seat in the 15th general election (GE15) with a whopping 33,174-vote majority, defeating Barisan Nasional’s Nur Jazlan Mohamed and PN’s Loh Kah Yong.

(From left) Independent S Jeganathan, Pakatan Harapan’s Nazri Abdul Rahman and Perikatan Nasional’s Dr Mazri Yahya at the nomination centre after they were announced as candidates for the Simpang Jeram by-election. (Bernama pic)

In the 2022 Johor state elections, he secured the Simpang Jeram seat by a 2,399-vote majority in a four-cornered fight against PN’s Zahrul Salleh, BN’s Lokman Don and Pejuang’s Mahaizal Mahmor.

According to the EC, there are 166,653 eligible voters in Pulai and 40,379 voters in Simpang Jeram.

The EC has set the polling day on Sept 9, with early voting on Sept 5. -FMT