Umno-PAS collab could net over 90pct votes for PN in Chini - Najib

Pekan Umno chief Najib Abdul Razak has expressed confidence that the party's cooperation with PAS through its Muafakat Nasional pact could net over 90 percent of votes in the upcoming Chini by-election.

In an interview with Pahang Media, the former premier said this was as BN and PAS, which had contested separately during the last 14th general elections, in total garnered around 95 percent of votes cast for the state seat under Pekan parliamentary constituency. 

In the last election, the late Abu Bakar Harun, representing Umno, garnered 10,027 votes and won by a 4,622 majority over PAS' Mohd Fadhil Noor Abdul Karim who received 5,405 votes.

"The PKR candidate received only about five percent of the votes," noted Najib, in reference to Mohamad Razali Ithnain, originally from Bersatu, who trailed in third place with 1,065 votes.

"So if every single Umno and PAS voters remain truly committed to Perikatan Nasional, then we would have already reached about 95 percent.

"That is on paper, but in reality, we will try to achieve that target," said the Pekan MP who noted that there are several determining factors which must be taken into account.

Among others, he said the final result would be determined by factors including whether outstation voters who returned to vote in GE14 would once again return for the by-election set to take place on July 4.

On the voters' profile, Najib said first and second generation Felda settlers comprise the largest group at 82 percent, while youths below 40 make up 56 percent.

There are also pockets of traditional villagers and the local Orang Asli population, he added.

In the interview, Najib did not touch on the issue of PN's potential candidate, although for several weeks there have been speculations on his eldest son, Mohd Nizar (photo), being fielded for the seat.

Umno supreme council member Tajuddin Abdul Rahman previously said he believed Nizar, who is also Pekan Umno Youth chief, is qualified to be fielded based on his leadership skills and grassroots support.

PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil yesterday told Malaysiakini that Harapan will not be fielding a candidate in Chini but Najib indicated PN's readiness for any possibility come nomination day on June 20.

"We must assume that there will be a contest, but if there is none, it's a bonus.

"Even without PKR we never know if there would be other independent candidates, or maybe there are parties that will sponsor an independent candidate," he said.

PAS vice-president Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah and Umno Veterans' Club secretary-general Mustapha Yaakub were among those calling for Harapan to give the PN coalition a walkover in the Chini by-election so as to avoid costly polls during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

PN currently holds 33 of the 42 seats in the Pahang state assembly. Umno has 24 seats, PAS has eight and MCA has one. The Harapan coalition holds nine seats through DAP (seven) and PKR (two). - Mkini