“I will make an official announcement in due course,” he told reporters after an event at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur this morning.

“We will discuss it at the unity government secretariat meeting next week. It will be a new face.”

The by-election, to be held on Sept 28, follows the death of Umno assemblyman Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, on Aug 2 while receiving treatment in hospital for internal bleeding.

Zahid, who is also the Umno president, reiterated that the principle of incumbency will guide the selection of the contesting party for the by-election.

“The primary principle is that the party currently holding the seat will be the one to contest it,” he said.

“This is very much respected by the component parties of the unity government, and will be the basis for selecting the candidate for the Mahkota by-election.”

Zahid had previously warned other unity government coalition partners not to demand to contest the seat.

Kluang Amanah had lobbied for the seat, prompting brickbats from several Umno leaders.

On Wednesday, Johor Perikatan Nasional chairman Sahruddin Jamal said the state chapter has submitted the names of three potential candidates for the top leadership to consider.

Nominations for the Mahkota by-election will be held on Sept 14 and early voting on Sept 24.