Deputy Prime Minister and BN Deputy Chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin made the announcement before more than 4,000 BN supporters at Dataran Sri Ketumbit, near here.
Syed Ibrahim, 44, who is a special religious officer to the Pahang menteri besar, is a graduate of Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, and hails from Kerdau.
Muhyiddin said Syed Ibrahim was selected by the Umno top leadership after he had undergone screening at the Umno divisional and state levels.
"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak decided on the candidate two days ago," he said.
