WHETHER it will be second-time lucky for Kasim Samat in the upcoming Pelangai state by-election or otherwise, PAS has put its faith fully in the former teacher as the party’s most preferred candidate to give UMNO a run for its money.
The candidacy of the 62-year-old Bentong PAS vice chief and Perikatan Nasional (PN) coordinator for the Pelangai constituency was announced by PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man in front of some 1,000 supporters at Kampung Bukit Gajah in Pelangai last night (Sept 20).
The former teacher from Felda Chemomoi who is now an oil palm grower lost the Pelangai state seat in the 15th general election (GE15) to Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Datuk Seri Johari Harun by a 4,048 majority after only obtaining 3,260 votes in a four-cornered battle.
However, the seat fell vacant when incumbent Johari was killed following the plane crash incident near Bandar Elmina in Shah Alam on Aug 17.
At the moment, a two-cornered battle is on the cards with UMNO eyeing victory to retain the seat.
Not deterred by the loss at the Sept 12’s Simpang Jeram by-election, PAS has also launched its election machinery in conjunction with its ceramah to unveil Kasim as its candidate.
Apart from Tuan Ibrahim who is also the Kubang Kerian MP, the event was also attended by Pahang PN chairman Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah and the Pahang PAS state commissioner Rosli Abdul Jabar.
In his speech, Tuan Ibrahim revealed that Kasim was selected from three names which were short-listed and brought to PAS’ Syura Ulama Council for final consideration.
According Tuan Ibrahim who is also the Cheka state assemblyman and Opposition leader in the Pahang State Assembly, the council found that all three names were worthy as candidates.
“Then the party deliberated as to who is the best, who is closest to the voters because he needs to take care of the people. So, we decided to choose a candidate from Pelangai who can be close to the local folks and not born here but living in Kuala Lumpur or elsewhere.”
The Election Commission (EC) has set the nomination of candidates for the Pelangai by-election on Sept 23, early voting on Oct 3 and voting day on Oct 7. – Sept 21, 2023
