Mat Sabu concedes Harapan faces uphill task in Tanjung Piai

Pakatan Harapan will face an uphill battle to retain the Tanjung Piai constituency in the upcoming by-election, said Amanah president Mohamad Sabu.

The Kota Raja MP said the lack of initiative by voters to return to their hometown for voting as the main factor which may contribute to the defeat.

"Usually it's difficult for Harapan to win a by-election. The voters who work outside of the area such as Singapore and Australia are not interested to vote because the by-election does not involve the change of the government.

"It's a different story for the general election. They are willing to spend a substantial amount of money to return," Mohamad said when asked to comment on the by-election.

Mohamad, who is also defence minister, cited an example where DAP lost its Telok Intan seat to BN in the by-election in 2014, although it was the former's stronghold.

"Because many did not return home to cast their votes," he told the media at Istana Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, today.

Meanwhile, Mohamad said he has yet to receive a notice for the Harapan presidential council meeting to discuss on the Tanjung Piai by-election candidate.

"The cabinet meeting is tomorrow. Perhaps, he (Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad) will tell on when to hold the Harapan presidential council meeting," he added

The by-election will be held on Nov 16 with a 14-day campaign period. Nomination day for candidates will take place on Nov 2.

Both dates fall on Saturdays with polling day coinciding with Umno’s general assembly while nomination day is on the same day as MCA’s annual assembly.

The seat fell vacant following the death of Bersatu's Dr Md Farid Md Rafik on Sept 21. Farid was a deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

In the 14th general election, Farid defeated MCA's Wee Jeck Seng with a wafer-thin majority of 524 votes.

- Mkini