JOHOR BARU, Oct 25 — Former Permas assemblyman Datuk Seri Che Zakaria Mohd Salleh has been named as Parti Amanah Negara’s (Amanah) candidate for the Pengerang parliamentary seat representing Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the 15th general election (GE15).

The announcement was made by Johor Amanah chief Aminolhuda Hassan in a ceremony at Felda Air Tawar 1, near Pengerang yesterday.

The event was also attended by Johor Amanah deputy chief Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad, as well as PH representatives from the Pengerang PKR and DAP.

The incumbent MP in Pengerang in Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman.

Che Zakaria previously gained prominence after defeating former Johor mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin in the Permas state constituency during the 2018 general election, with a majority of 8,746 votes.

It is understood that Che Zakaria, who is also the former South-east Johor Development Board (Kejora) chairman, is one of the six Amanah candidates in Johor who will contest in GE15.

After the announcement, he said the trust given to him was an honour and is determined to win the Pengerang parliamentary seat for PH in GE15.

He is aware of the challenges that lie ahead as the parliament constituency is a known BN and Umno stronghold.

However, Che Zakaria said this would not stop him from fighting to provide better services in Pengerang.

“Amanah and PH offer a cleaner future for the country, in addition to being free from corruption and kleptocracy.

“The people need to realise that they need to free the country from continuing to be burdened by the problems by the BN government.

“It is enough that this country has been plagued with corruption and having a lack of integrity, breach of trust and abuse of power for decades,” he said when contacted by the media today.

Che Zakaria explained that the announcement of the six Johor Amanah candidates for GE15 was made in each parliamentary constituency that is contested by the party.

He said PH will announce all 26 parliamentary candidates in the state for GE15 in Muar on October 27.