Chini by-election – PAS will accept any BN candidate

PAS will accept any BN representative as the Perikatan Nasional candidate for the upcoming Chini by-election on July 4.

PAS information chief Kamaruzaman Muhamad (above) said the party has discussed the matter following incumbent Abu Bakar Harun’s death, but the matter would still have to be discussed further with other PN parties.

“We have discussed at our level (PAS) and in view of the fact that the seat was previously held by BN, we will hold further discussions with BN and PN regarding the Chini state assembly seat.

“The final decision will be made by PN,” he told Malaysiakini when contacted.

He said PAS has decided to support any candidate fielded by BN and PN in the election.

“In terms of candidates, we will accept any candidate that has been decided upon - God willing - by PN. That means whoever the PN candidate is, we will accept and support the candidate,” he said.

The Chini by-election was called following Abu Bakar’s death due to a heart attack on May 6. He was 60 years old.

He had garnered 10,027 votes during the 14th general election, beating PAS candidate Mohd Fadhil Noor Abdul who garnered 5,405 votes and PKR candidate Mohamad Razali Ithnain’s 1,065 votes.

Asked on the possibility that the campaigning may have to take place with the conditional movement control order still in effect, Kamaruzaman said the party’s election machinery will look into the matter.

On May 14, Pahang BN chief Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail told reporters in Pekan that Umno will field its candidate in the Chini by-election.

He said PAS has no issues with Umno defending the seat although the two parties had clashed over the seat during the 14th general election.

Umno and PAS had formed the Muafakat Nasional pact during the Cameron Highlands by-election in January 2019 and have been cooperating in all by-elections held since. - Mkini