PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli named Joohari as the coalition’s candidate at an event in Bandar Tasek Mutiara, Penang, tonight.

Nominations for the by-election will be held on June 22.

The Sungai Bakap state seat fell vacant following the death of PAS assemblyman Nor Zamri Latiff, 56, on May 24.

Zamri, the then Nibong Tebal PAS chief, won the seat in the state election last August, defeating PH candidate Nurhidayah Che Rose with a majority of 1,563 votes.

Perikatan Nasional had previously said it would field a candidate from PAS for the by-election.

The unveiling of Joohari as the PH candidate comes a day after FMT reported that he was among those who had been considered, primarily due to his links to the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim).

Joohari is a member of the movement that PKR president Anwar Ibrahim once used to head.

A source told FMT the 60-year-old fits the bill as PKR was expected to field a professional with a strong religious background.

At the event tonight, Joohari expressed hope the constituents would back him in the by-election next month.

“I hope to get the support of the teachers here,” he said, alluding to his tenure in public schools, where he held various posts.

He is also a former lecturer at Institut Aminuddin Baki in Kedah.