Barisan Nasional candidate, Prof Dr. Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim (left) greets PAS candidate, Mohd Azam Abd Samat at the nomination centre at Dewan Dato Madi, Yan. -Bernama photo
YAN: The Sungai Limau state seat by-election on Nov 4 will see a straight fight between the candidates of Barisan Nasional (BN) and PAS.
BN will be represented by former senior lecturer at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Dr Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim, 52, who is also a Jerai UMNO division committee member, and PAS, by its Jerai Youth head, Mohd Azam Samat, 37, who is also a director of Pusat Asuhan Tunas Islam Kedah.
The announcement of the candidates was made by returning officer Abd Rashid Othman after the nomination process Wednesday at Dewan Dato’ Madi, in Yan closed at 10am.
“I have checked their eligibility status for the by-election and I am satisfied that there has been no rejection of both individuals’ candidacy,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) deputy chairman, and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir were among several leaders from UMNO and other BN component parties who accompanied Ahmad Sohaimi to the nomination centre.
The three UMNO vice-presidents, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Gerakan acting president Datuk Chang Ko Youn were also present to lend support.
Mohd Azam, meanwhile, was accompanied by a number of Pakatan Rakyat leaders including PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar, who is also Kedah PAS commissioner, and Parti Keadilan Rakyat deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali.
Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof was also present to ensure a smooth nomination process.
The announcement of the two candidates for the by-election was greeted with thunderous applause from BN and PAS supporters who had gathered at the nomination centre since 6am.
The EC for the first time had issued 100 entry passes each for BN and PAS to enable their supporters to enter the nomination centre. –BERNAMA