“This is to ensure that development programmes to benefit the people in Tanjung Piai, started by the former MP, the late Dr Mohamed Farid Md Rafik, are continued,” coalition officials said in a statement.

The statement was signed by Pakatan Harapan secretariat chief Saifuddin Abdullah, secretaries-general of PKR, PPBM and Amanah – Saifuddin Nasution, Marzuki Yahya and Anuar Tahir – and DAP organising secretary Loke Siew Fook.

They congratulated Karmanie Sardini, 66, of PPBM, over his candidacy, saying that the decision to field the former architect was a reflection of the unity and consensus among PH components.

They also felt that PH had a good chance of retaining the seat.

Karmanie will go up against Wee Jeck Seng (BN), Wendy Subramaniam (Gerakan), Badhrulhisham Abdul Aziz (Berjasa) and independents Faridah Aryani Abdul Ghaffar and Ang Chuan Lock.

The parliamentary seat fell vacant after Farid, a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, died on Sept 21 from heart complications.

Farid won the seat in GE14 after defeating Wee by a 524-vote margin.

Early voting will be held on Nov 12, and polling on Nov 16.