Noh, who has served as the Tanjong Karang MP for six terms, was among the big names dropped from BN’s list of candidates and there has been speculation that his absence from the constituency is a sign of protest.

Habibah, who is the Tanjong Karang Wanita Umno chief, denies this, saying Noh was “very supportive” of her candidacy “but he has excused himself to help BN candidates outside Tanjong Karang with their campaigns.”

However, she acknowledged that her campaign did not get off to a smooth start because the local BN machinery was loyal to Noh and in a state of shock over Umno’s decision to drop him.

“I believe the people want a new face, but his hardcore supporters were in shock for several days,” she told FMT. “But now the machinery is working as usual.”

She said Noh had even assured party members that she would be as capable as he was in looking after the constituency.

Habibah also said she believed gender discrimination was one of the reasons the grassroots did not immediately accept her candidacy.

“The naysayers said that as a woman I couldn’t do this and that.”

Asked how she would react if Noh were to demand the seat back one day, Habibah said she would leave that to Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“I’m here because of the party’s decision,” she said. “So if the president wants to give the seat back to Noh, I’d accept it.”

Habibah’s rivals in the race for Tanjong Karang are Zulkafperi Hanafi (Perikatan Nasional), Siti Rahayu Baharin (Pakatan Harapan), Azlan Sani Zawawi (Gerakan Tanah Air) and independent Rosni Mastol.