SEMENYIH POLLS | Pop singer Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin's name is not on the list of potential Pakatan Harapan candidates for the Semenyih by-election, Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir said today.

“It must be just a rumour. I am involved in the process of selecting the candidate. 

"Her name has not come up so far. I do not know if there will be a suggestion later. I am not sure if she is a Bersatu member,” he told reporters in Alor Setar today.

Mukhriz, the Kedah menteri besar, was asked to comment on speculation that the singer would contest the March 2 by-election on a Harapan ticket.

The by-election is being held following the death of the Bersatu assemblyman, Bakhtiar Mohd Nor, 57, of a heart attack on Jan 11. 

The nomination is on Feb 16.

'Orchestrated psy-war'

Asked to comment on alleged differences of opinion over the Bersatu candidate for the by-election, Mukhriz brushed it aside as propaganda of the opposition.

"Whenever the name of a candidate is announced, some people quickly start a psy-war to make it seem there is disunity in Bersatu. 

"This is an old tactic which was used in the old party (Umno). I know this is orchestrated by outsiders and not our party members.

“The candidate-selection process is ongoing. We are considering all possible candidates and there is no limit on the number. 

'These candidates are from the division, wings, Srikandi, Youth, even from outside the division,” he said.

Earlier, Mukhriz and several state executive councillors attended a Chinese New Year open house along with over 1,000 people at Dewan Seri Mentaloon.

- Bernama