Pahang Harapan chief sees a good chance of winning the Chini seat

CHINI POLLS | Pahang Pakatan Harapan chief Fuziah Salleh (above) said she has received positive feedback during her field study in the Chini state constituency, which would help decide whether the coalition should contest the by-election there next month.

She said Pahang Harapan now awaits the decision of the coalition’s central leadership on whether to field a candidate for the by-election, which will be held on July 4.

“Yes, we have done (the field study among voters). The survey has been very positive.

“Now it is up to the central Harapan (leadership) to make the decision on whether to contest the by-election,” Fuziah told Malaysiakini yesterday.

She said this when asked for an update on the Harapan survey that she led.

On May 20, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution said the party was still studying whether to contest the Chini by-election and has yet to make a decision.

He said PKR’s central leadership had told Fuziah, who is also the Pahang PKR chief, to conduct a field study, including to determine the party’s chances there.

“She (Fuziah) will provide the report to the central leadership. PKR is still waiting for the report before taking its next step,” Saifuddin (above) said.

Meanwhile, Fuziah said she would agree to any decision being made.

“If they agree (to contest), Pahang Harapan will support the PKR candidate. The machinery is already prepared to face the Chini by-election,” she said.

The Chini seat became vacant following the death of the incumbent Abu Bakar Harun, 60, at Kuala Lumpur Hospital on May 6, following a heart attack.

Election Commission chairperson Azhar Azizan Harun announced that nomination day for the by-election be June 20, while voting would be held on July 4.

BN lost the Chini seat to PKR by a slim margin in 1999, but won back the seat in four subsequent elections, including the 14th general election of 2018.

The electorate comprises 20,990 registered voters, including 18 advance voters from the police force. - Mkini