Former prime minister Najib Razak’s eldest son, Mohamad Nizar, was today announced as one of 25 new faces for the Pahang state legislative assembly in the upcoming general election (GE15).

Pahang BN chairman Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail announced the candidacy of Nizar, who is Pekan Umno Youth head, for Peramu Jaya, one of four state legislative assembly seats under the Pekan parliamentary constituency.

The incumbent assemblyman for Peramu Jaya, Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali, was meanwhile announced as the BN candidate for the Pekan parliamentary seat previously held by Najib.

Selected as BN’s new face for the Dong state seat was the Pahang menteri besar’s press secretary, Fadzli Mohamad Kamal, who was once the press secretary for Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein.

Also present at the announcement of the candidates was Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who will be defending the Bera parliamentary seat held by him since 2004.

Other new faces announced for state seats include Wong Yah Wah (Tanah Rata), Lim Teck Hoe (Tras), Faezah Ishak (Tahan), Muhammad Fasal Jamlus (Damak), Datuk Mustaffar Kamal (Beserah), Khairul Hisham Omar (Semambu), Tee Choon Ser (Teruntum), Nara @ Nikmat Nordin (Tanjung Lumpur) and Umar Arbain Dollah (Sungai Lembing).

Also being fielded for the first time are Fauziah Abd Wahab (Panching), Jamaluddin Md Marzuki (Luit), Mohd Khairudin Mohd Ali Hanafiah (Kuala Sentul), Saiful Anuar Mokhtar (Chenor), Rodzuan Zaaba (Jenderak), Ramzi Sudin (Lanchang) and Wong Siew Mun (Bilut).

The others are Amizar Abu Adam (Ketari), Johari Harun (Pelangai), Sabariah Saidin (Guai), Yee Cheng Hwa (Triang), Khaizulnizam Mohamad Zuldin (Kemayan), Norhasmimi Abdul Ghani (Jengka) and Wong Tze Shiang (Mentakab).

Of the 42 state seats, Umno so far will be vying for 34, and MCA, six. The candidates for Cheka and Sabai were not announced today.

Based on the announcement of candidates, state executive councillor and Guai incumbent assemblyman Norolazali Sulaiman, who is also the state public works, transportation and health committee chairman, has been dropped from contesting in GE15.

Meanwhile, state tourism, culture, environment, plantations and commodities committee chairman Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin, who is also the incumbent Lanchang assemblyman, will be contesting the Temerloh parliamentary seat.

State unity, social welfare, and women and family development committee chairman Shahaniza Shamsuddin will be contesting the Maran parliamentary seat after three terms of being the state assemblyman for Kuala Sentul.