BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the decision during a leadership retreat for the Gerik Umno division in Janda Baik, Pahang, which ended on Saturday, Berita Harian reported.

He also said Temenggor assemblyman Salbiah Mohamed would be renominated to defend her state seat.

GE16 must be held by Feb 17, 2028.

Zahid, who is also the Umno president, urged Gerik voters to back Asyraf, saying the party sees “strong potential” in him to drive change in the constituency.

“Although there are several qualified local figures, if Asyraf Wajdi wins the parliamentary seat and is appointed a minister, he will ensure that job opportunities in the ministry are given to Gerik residents” he was quoted as saying.

He also pledged continued assistance to every district polling centre in Gerik as part of BN’s commitment to the local community.

Asyraf said he would abide by the party’s decision as he is a “party man”.

“My intention is simply to help the people in any constituency entrusted to me,” he said, adding that he had been actively engaging with the people in Gerik for the past three years after being appointed as the Umno Supreme Council’s liaison to the area.

Asyraf had contested the seat in the last general election in a three-concerned fight, but lost to Perikatan Nasional’s Fathul Huzir Ayob by a 1,377-vote majority.