Barisan Nasional will choose the most qualified and suitable candidate to contest the Bagan Pinang by-election, said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin, who is also BN deputy chairperson, said whether the candidate was a man or woman was not important but he or she must be suitable.

NONEHe said choice of candidate would be deliberated by BN based on the recommendations of the Negeri Sembilan Umno liaison committee and the Teluk Kemang Umno division.

Muhyiddin told this to reporters when asked about Wanita Umno asking for a woman to be given a chance to contest the seat.

Meanwhile in another development, former Umno vice-president and Teluk Kemang Umno division chief Isa Samad said he will have to consult everyone on the suggestions that he is picked for the state seat.

"I am not able to answer if I am willing to contest or not. I will have to discuss this matter, look at all the circumstances and get feedback from everyone involved.

"There could be other candidates," he told Malaysiakini when contacted today.

Guilty of money politics

Teluk Kemang youth chief Mohd Faizal Ramli had previously suggested that Isa, who was also the former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar, is chosen to contest for the seat.

NONEIsa was elected as the party vice-president in 2004 but his rise in the party ranks was brought to a premature end when he was suspended for three years for being involved in money politics in 2005.

The Bagan Pinang seat which is in the Teluk Kemang parliamentary constituency fell vacant following the death of its Umno assemblyperson Azman Mohammad on Friday due to a blood disorder.

Azman, 54, who was the vice head of the Teluk Kemang Umno division, won the seat in the 2008 general election when he defeated PAS' Ramli Ismail by a majority of 2,333 votes.

The Election Commission will meet on Monday to decide the date for the by-election.

- Bernama [with additional reporting by Malaysiakini's Abdul Rahim Sabri]