AMONG the challenges that the unity government will face in the Pelangai by-election tomorrow (Oct 7) include winning over disgruntled Pakatan Harapan (PH) supporters as well as Felda voters, said a DAP lawmaker.
Young Syefura Othman said she would be lying if she said the unity government had managed to convince the Pelangai voters as some of them were cold to them while others were apprehensive.
“But we have managed to somewhat convince them, and the government is working hard to gain the confidence of Felda voters,” the Bentong MP was quoted as saying by FMT today (Oct 6).
“We want to ensure that we can convince the Felda voters to help Barisan Nasional (BN) regain the seat.”
Young Syefura believes that not only will Felda voters be crucial in Pelangai, but that “both demographics have their importance”.
“Whether it is the Chinese or Felda voters, everyone must play their role. If we focus on one and leave the other, it could cost us,” she said.
“The response from the Chinese community has been good as many DAP leaders have gone to the ground quite often to convince the Chinese voters.”
On Wednesday (Oct 4), DAP secretary general Anthony Loke Siew Fook had rubbished claims that the Chinese voters, especially around Telemong and Kampung Baru, will not vote in the Pelangai state election this Saturday (Oct 7).
“This Saturday (October 7), we (DAP) will ensure that the votes we have, we will transfer them to BN. With this formula I am confident that we will help BN win with a comfortable majority,” Loke was quoted as saying by Harian Metro on Wednesday (Oct 4).
Loke went on to say that in order to assure the formula’s success, he had urged DAP Pahang from the start to campaign vigorously to support BN in terms of morale, resources, and manpower.
“The formula of shifting the Chinese voters and DAP supporters to BN has already been proven to be successful in helping BN win in the Tioman state election last year.”
The Seremban MP further admitted that the biggest challenge at the moment is to ensure that voters in Pelangai state constituency who do not live here return to fulfill their responsibilities tomorrow (Oct 7).
In the 15th General Election (GE15), Pelangai incumbent assemblyman Datuk Seri Johari Harun of BN won with a majority of 4,048 votes, defeating Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Kasim Samat who obtained 3,260 votes, while PH candidate Ahmed Wafiuddin Shamsuri received 2,031 votes and Pejuang candidate, Isa Ahmad received 65 votes.
The Pelangai by-election was held following the death of Johari, 53, who was one of the 10 victims of a plane crash near Bandar Elmina in Shah Alam, Selangor on the evening of Aug 17, with a three-way contest for the state seat between BN candidate Datuk Amizar Abu Adam, PN candidate Kasim and independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasni. – Oct 6, 2023
Main pic credit: Facebook/Young Syefura Othman