UPDATED 10.53AM | GE14 | Umno sources have confirmed that a candidate from the party would be contesting in the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary seat in the 14th general election.

However, those familiar with the matter told Malaysiakini that the candidate would not be Bandar Tun Razak Umno chief Rizalman Mokhtar.

Instead, the party is intending to field its Wanita chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

This was confirmed by multiple Umno sources, including those from the central leadership.

Yet, Shahrizat herself downplayed the news when contacted.

"I hear so many rumours too! It's all speculation," she told Malaysiakini.

Umno Bandar Tun Razak deputy chief Saharudin Zainal Abidin also declined to confirm the matter until the surat watikah (authorisation letter) is signed and issued.

A high-level source said the letter is expected to be issued early next week.

Bandar Tun Razak is traditionally an MCA seat, but Umno has been making a strong push to contest in the constituency, arguing that it would fare better with the local Malay community, who make up more than 50 percent of voters.

Rizalman was heavily touted to contest the seat until he was arrested in a joint MACC and police operation last week. 

He initially tested positive for drugs but was subsequently cleared in a pathology test.

Malaysiakini has contacted Rizalman for a response.

MCA lost Bandar Tun Razak to then-PKR candidate Abdul Khalid Ibrahim in 2008.

Khalid won the seat again in 2013 with a solid 11,832 vote majority.

Shahrizat, meanwhile, would be making an election comeback after sitting out the 2013 election.

She was defeated in her old seat, Lembah Pantai, in 2008 by PKR debutant Nurul Izzah Anwar.

In the coming polls, Shahrizat would likely face PKR's incumbent Tumpang MP Kamaruddin Jaafar, who has been active in the constituency for two years.