The announcement was made by PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin at the Hai Kee Hall in Pontian, Johor, today.

Also present were PPBM deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir, Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub, PPBM secretary-general Marzuki Yahya and Johor Menteri Besar Dr Shahruddin Jamal.

Karmaine, a businessman, has an advanced diploma in architecture from UiTM.

Muhyiddin said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad will to go down to Tanjung Piai to campaign on Oct 31 and Nov 8.

In Kota Kinabalu, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said the party will give its full support to Karmaine at the central, state and branch levels.

“Congratulations to Karminie for being the PPBM and PH candidate. We have mobilised our election machinery, particularly in Tanjung Piai. We will focus our attention there and pick up on the campaigning,” Anwar, who was in the Sabah capital for a party convention, said.

Barisan Nasional, which had been expected to field an Umno candidate, said it will announce its choice at the “most suitable time”.

Gerakan, which will also join in the fray, said it will name its candidate, a “Johor born”, tomorrow.

The by-election was triggered by the death of the incumbent, Md Farid Md Rafik, a former deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, on Sept 21 due to heart complications.

In the general election last year, PPBM’s Farid won with a majority of 524 votes against Wee Jeck Seng (BN-MCA) and Nordin Othman (PAS).

About 57% of the 53,528 registered voters in the constituency are Malay, 42% Chinese and 1% Indian.