The former Johor assembly speaker said a lower turnout percentage would pose the biggest challenge to PH.

Suhaizan, who is also the state Amanah vice-chairman, said PH component parties will assist in campaigning and finding ways to encourage voters to go to the polls on Sept 9.

“I have been focusing on the Pulai area for a long time. The community’s response seems positive, so I hope they will choose the best candidate,” he told reporters after meeting the Indian community at the Arulmigu Raja Mariamman Temple here.

The Pulai Amanah chief said he had met his Umno counterpart, Nur Jazlan Mohamed, recently to seek his assistance in campaigning for the by-election and mobilising 18,000 Umno members in the area.

Asked about Perikatan Nasional candidate Zulkifli Jaafar, Suhaizan said he would not downplay the challenge posed by his opponent as he respects the Pulai Bersatu deputy chief and hopes for fair competition between them.

The Pulai parliamentary seat and the Simpang Jeram state seat were vacated following the death of  Salahuddin Ayub on July 23.

The Election Commission has fixed nomination day on Aug 26, early voting on Sept 5 and polling day on Sept 9 for both by-elections.