Merlimau by-election: EC meets on Jan 28 to decide on dates

Source: The Star Online

The late Datuk Mohamad Hidhir Abu Hassan.

PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission (EC) will meet on Friday to decide on the nomination and polling dates for the Merlimau state seat, left vacant after the death of assemblyman Datuk Mohamad Hidhir Abu Hassan last week.

EC secretary Datuk Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria said the commission had been notified of the vacancy in the Malacca state seat on Jan 21, a day after Mohamad Hidir passed away.

"The EC will convene a special meeting on Friday to discuss various issues related to holding a by-election for the Merlimau state seat.

"The meeting is also to determine the dates for nomination and polling. Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof will head the meeting and announce the dates to the media," said Kamaruddin.

Mohamad Hidhir, 54, passed away at the Putra Specialist Hospital on Jan 20.

The two-term assemblyman from Jasin, who was the Rural Development and Agricultural Committee chairman, had suffered three heart attacks after undergoing angioplasty to clear a blocked artery.

In the 2008 general election, Mohamad Hidhir retained his seat defeating Jasme Tompang of PAS with a 2,154-vote majority.

It has been reported that Barisan Nasional has already shortlisted seven potential candidates for the by-election, including former Jasin MP Datuk Mohd Said Yusof and Jasin Umno youth chief Zaidi Atan.

Other potential candidates are Jasin Umno committee members Roslan Ahmad, Mohd Nasser Selamat, Abdul Nasir Bazid, Wanita head Zaleha Bujang and Jazlee Pit.