IT will be a three-cornered fight in the upcoming by-election for the Pelangai state seat in Pahang scheduled for Oct 7.
The by-election was triggered by the unfortunate death of UMNO assemblyman and Pahang exco member Datuk Seri Johari Harun in a plane crash near Bandar Elmina in Shah Alam on Aug 17.
The fight will be between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) with an independent candidate from a non-governmental organisation (NGO) entering the race.
The candidates are BN’s Datuk Amizar Abu Adam, PN’s Kasim Samat and the independent candidate the president of Pertubuhan Suara Anak Pahang Haslihelmy Zulhasli.
Amizar is an UMNO Bentong committee member while Kasim, representing PAS, is making a second attempt [the first attempt in the 15th General Election(GE15)] at the seat, which is considered an UMNO stronghold.
In GE15, Johari secured victory with a majority of 4,048 votes, defeating Kasim, Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) Ahmed Wafiuddin Shamsuri, and Pejuang’s Isa Ahmad.
The BN candidate has pledged to continue and enhance the plans initiated by the late former assemblyman Johari, especially for the benefit of the younger generation. He aims to fulfil various incomplete projects and introduce additional programmes, particularly for the youth, to provide them with opportunities.
Meanwhile, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Sanusi Md Nor predicted a victory for PN in the by-elections.
“Open the mouth, tell lies, Open the mouth, tell lies,” he said in a speech, asking the voters at Felda Kamasul Bentong, Pahang “Do you want to vote for them again?”. – Sept 23, 2023
Main photo credit: Bernama
