Speaking to FMT, the controversial Umno leader said he was contesting the seat as it was vacant.

“Also I am from Port Dickson so I want to contest, it’s my area.”

On whether Umno will take action against him after the party had decided to boycott the by-election, the former Jempol MP said it was “up to Umno”.

Isa served as menteri besar from 1982 to 2004 and was Teluk Kemang Umno chief from 1978 to 2017.

Others who are expected to contest the by-election are PKR’s president-elect Anwar Ibrahim, a PAS candidate who will be announced tonight, Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Ahmad Kamarudin and independent Stevie Chan.

The Port Dickson seat fell vacant after its incumbent Danyal Balagopal Abdullah stepped down to make way for Anwar who is attempting to return to Parliament.

Should Anwar win, it would pave the way for a power transition with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad expected to hand over power to Anwar in two years as agreed by Pakatan Harapan.

Danyal, a former naval officer, won the Port Dickson seat with 36,225 votes, beating Barisan Nasional’s VS Mogan (18,515 votes) and PAS’ Mahfuz Roslan (6,594 votes) in the May 9 general election.

Polling day is on Oct 13, with nominations on Sept 29. Early voting will take place on Oct 9.