JOHOR BARU, Aug 25 — Nomination for the Pulai parliamentary by-election began this morning with large number of supporters from both Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) making their way to Dewan Jubli Intan Sultan Ibrahim here to submit their candidacy.

The supporters of both coalitions arrived and gathered within their respective boundaries as early as 7.30am, before making their way to the nomination centre at 9am.

Police personnel had earlier separated the unity coalition supporters, consisting of PH and Barisan Nasional (BN), as well as those from PN.

The entrance to the nomination centre was also sealed off where police only allowed the candidates and entourage members permission to enter from 8.30am onwards.

PN candidate Zulkifli Jaafar arrived at the nomination centre entrance with the coalition’s secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, the party’s vice-president Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin, and its Youth deputy chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad.

Bersatu is a component party of PN, which it shares with PAS and Gerakan.

Zulkifli, who is the Pulai Bersatu deputy division chief, entered the nomination centre together with his proposer Datuk Kamal Azizi and seconder Michael Loh Sau Fui.

PH candidate Suhaizan Kayat arrived at the nomination centre’s entrance at 8.50am with a large group of supporters, including leaders from the unity government.

Among them is Umno president and BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

Persatuan Keselamatan Pengguna Kuala Lumpur president Samsudin Mohamad Fauzi who had contested in the Putrajaya parliamentary constituency in last November’s 15th general election was also seen entering the nomination centre.

He is believed to be seeking to run for the Pulai parliament in this by-election.

Pulai parliamentary returning officer Miswan Yunus later announced the opening of handing over of nomination forms between 9am and 10am.