The state’s Pejuang deputy chairman, Jani Ismail, said he had raised the matter with the coalition’s top leaders such as deputy chairman Mukhriz Mahathir.

Hamid, originally from Rembau, retired from the police force in May 2021, and has a farm in his hometown.

“I gave my view that if GTA wants to win (the seat), Hamid is the man,” Utusan Malaysia quoted Jani as saying.

“There are efforts made (to get Hamid to contest), but the only one who can persuade him is (GTA chairman) Dr Mahathir Mohamad.”

GTA comprises Pejuang, Berjasa, Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) and the National Indian Muslim Alliance Party (Iman). Formed on Aug 4, it also includes NGOs, academics and professionals.

Jani said that while Hamid is not a Pejuang member, he would provide a formidable challenge to Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, who is set to contest the seat.

“It is not easy to defeat Mohamad in Rembau, but if we field Hamid, we have a chance,” he said.

He said Hamid not being a Pejuang member was not a problem as GTA ‘has room’ for leaders of NGOs and professional bodies, and individuals.

Mohamad, who is the head of Umno Rembau, had said he intended to contest a parliamentary seat so that he could play a role at the federal level.

While he did not say which seat he would contest, health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who has been the Rembau MP since 2008, said he had been given a message by Mohamad “to get out of the way”.