KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 — Popular Islamic preacher Datuk Mohammad Kazim Elias was tonight named as Barisan Nasional’s (BN) candidate for Larut, possibly facing incumbent Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin from Perikatan Nasional.

Kazim had in 2018 said he was offered to contest in the 14th general election, but said he rejected the offer as he loved his tahfiz school more.

His brothers Datuk Mohd Najmuddin and Ahmad Hasbullah are both leaders in Perak Umno.

His school Tahfiz Darul Barakah centre in Manjoi was previously embroiled in a sexual abuse case against its students, but police investigation into the case was stalled. It was then transferred to new management.

In May 2022, Kazim was reported claiming he was suffering from a "mysterious skin disease”.