JOHOR BARU, Aug 23 — Perikatan Nasional (PN) announced today consultant surgeon Dr Mohd Mazri Yahya as the coalition’s candidate for the Simpang Jeram state by-election.

At the same time, the coalition also named local businessman Zulkifli Jaafar as PN’s candidate for the Pulai parliamentary by-election.

Today’s announcement by PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin ends almost two weeks of intense speculation over PN’s candidates for the two by-elections.

He said the candidate selection took some time as the committee had to weigh the nominations carefully.

"This includes strict vetting procedures for previous criminal or drug records, insolvency issues or even Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) records.

"At the same time, the selection committee also made sure that the two candidates were Johor-born to appeal to the locals and suited for their respective roles,” he said during the PN candidate announcement ceremony at Kempas Baru here today.

Present at the event was PN deputy chief Datuk Dominic Lau and PN information chief Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.

They were also accompanied by Johor PN chairman Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal, his deputy Abdullah Husin and vice-chairman Datuk Teo Kok Chee.

Muhyiddin, who is also the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president, said the candidates are expected to address current issues involving inflation and the cost of living.

"However, PN will not have a special manifesto for the candidates during their campaign trail.

"Our commitment is to the people,” he said.

Earlier, Muhyiddin said that Johoreans in Pulai and Simpang Jeram are now given the opportunity to support the PN wave as it has made its way to the state.

The former prime minister said following the PN wave in the recently concluded six state elections, he said the coalition intends to send a message to Johor.

"The message is in the form of a referendum by the people to reject the current federal administration for its failures.

"We also need to bring the same message to the grassroots here, especially in Pulai and Simpang Jeram.

"So, give PN a chance to take over and run the government effectively,” said Muhyiddin.

Dr Mohd Mazri is a PAS national committee member and the party’s former Johor deputy chief. The 54-year-old is active in social and medical volunteer work.

The vascular and endovascular specialist has been active in PAS since 1990 and helmed several leadership posts in Johor and at the national level.

Dr Mohd Mazri is also well-known as a volunteer doctor for Mercy Malaysia’s humanitarian mission to Gaza and Syria. His recent humanitarian aid mission was with PAS Relief to Turkiye this year.

Zulkifli, a Tampoi native, Is currently the Pulai Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) division deputy chief.

The 50-year-old local businessman is active in several non-governmental organisations (NGO) focusing on sports development, entrepreneurship, religious and social matters.

Zulkifli has 26 years of experience in the transportation and logistics business, with another 20 years in warehousing management.

He has helmed managing directorships for several companies in Johor, with the last being an executive directorship for a transport and forwarding company.

Last Saturday, Pakatan Harapan (PH) named its Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state by-election candidates.

Former Johor state legislative assembly speaker Suhaizan Kaiat was named as the unity coalition (PH-BN) candidate for Pulai, while former engineer Nazri Abdul Rahman will contest Simpang Jeram.

Both are senior Johor Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) members.

The Election Commission has fixed nomination day for both the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state by-elections for August 26 and polling for September 9, while early voting falls on September 5.

The two by-elections were called after Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, who was the incumbent for both seats, died on July 23 due to a brain haemorrhage. He was 61.

Salahuddin was Amanah deputy president and the domestic trade and cost of living minister.