JOHOR BARU, Aug 14 — The Johor chapter of Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) will need to urgently name the party’s candidates for the Pulai parliamentary and the Simpang Jeram state by-elections, said Johor Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Aminolhuda Hassan.

He said this was voiced by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi during a meeting with the state’s Amanah leadership yesterday.

"Discussions related to the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections following the death of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, the incumbent for both seats, was the main topic during the meeting.

"At the end of the meeting the menteri besar also called on those involved to promptly name the potential candidates so as to be known by the local community and forge closer ties with the voters,” Aminolhuda said in a statement on his Facebook today.

Onn Hafiz, who is from Batisan Nasional (BN) and the Johor Amanah leadership held a meeting at the menteri besar’s official residence at Saujana here yesterday.

The discussions were on the two upcoming by-elections following the July 23 death of Salahuddin, the incumbent for both seats who was also the minister of domestic trade and cost of living.

Aminolhuda, who is also the Johor Amanah chairman, described PH’s relationship with BN in Johor as harmonious, adding that Onn Hafiz extended his friendship to Amanah.

"The menteri besar also expressed his sadness over the death of Salahuddin and pledged to give full cooperation to potential candidates from Amanah to represent PH-BN in the by-elections,” said the Sri Gading MP.

The Election Commission has set nomination day for the Pulai parliamentary seat and the Simpang Jeram state seat by-elections on August 26.

Early voting will be on September 5 and polling day on September 9.