Pakatan Harapan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will contest the Langkawi parliamentary seat in GE14 while Mukhriz will contest the Jitra state seat and the Jerlun Parliament seat.
It is understood Mahathir’s contribution Langkawi’s development started as early as the 1960s when he helped establish an extensive ferry service.
This was when he spent his early years as a medical officer at a hospital on the island and has reminisced about being one of the few people there who had a car then.
In 1980, as deputy prime minister, he was instrumental in the construction of the Kuah jetty and expanded the ferry services. The initiative opened up the island to more people and Langkawi quickly developed as a popular tourist spot.
This paved way for rapid development and by then, the island had modern roads and amenities that included its own public hospital. Today, the island also has its own airport and boasts a cable-car service for tourists.
In 1987, Mahathir as prime minister declared Langkawi a tax-free zone, which attracted billions of tourist money into the island and made it among the country’s favourite holiday and shopping destination.
Since the constituency was created in 1994, Langkawi has been a Barisan Nasional stronghold, winning with a comfortable majority of about 70%.
Last December, Mahathir hinted that he might contest in either Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, or Putrajaya.