With PKR out, Pahang MB wants others to step aside in Chini

CHINI POLLS | Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail (above) hopes other parties and potential independent candidates will also stay out of Chini after PKR announced it won't be contesting the by-election there.

Wan Rosdy said this would allow Umno a walkover in the state seat, which fell vacant after its incumbent four-term assemblyperson Abu Bakar Harun passed away on May 6.

"I appeal for the cooperation of all political parties and independent candidates to give way to BN/Umno to win the Chini by-election uncontested.

"This would mean there won't be any need for a 14-day campaign period," he said in a statement.

Nomination day is set for June 20, while polling day, if there is a contest, will be on July 4.

"This would avoid the need for movement and activities for the by-election, which could contribute to the spread of Covid-19," he said.

Wan Rosdy said even Langkawi MP Dr Mahathir Mohamad had expressed similar sentiments in the context of a general election.

Mahathir had said that the country was not ready for a general election during the pandemic amid calls by some in the Perikatan Nasional to dissolve Parliament to block any attempts by Mahathir and his allies to regain control of the government.

"Mahathir's comment may be more in the context of a general election but it should also include a by-election, as both would involve the movement of people that could be a threat to public health and perpetuate the pandemic," he said.

Wan Rosdy added that not conducting a by-election would also save around RM4.3 million for the Election Commission.

Earlier today, PKR, which represented Pakatan Harapan in Chini during the last general election, announced that it will stay out of the by-election amid pandemic concerns.

Wan Rosdy said BN/Umno was not trying to be arrogant but its cooperation with PAS means it has an unassailable position in Chini.

In the last general election, Umno polled 10,027 votes in Chini, while PAS received 5,405 votes. PKR came in last with 1,065 votes.

Umno and PAS combined made up 93.5 percent of the votes there and the two former rival parties formed an alliance after the last general election under the banner of "Muafakat Nasional".

They are also part of the Perikatan Nasional government.

The Harapan government collapsed in late February after Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin pulled the party out of the coalition government.

Muhyiddin was sworn in as the new prime minister on March 1, after Mahathir refused to lead a new coalition Muhyiddin put together comprising Bersatu, BN, PAS, GPS, PBS and STAR.

Mahathir had indicated he planned to take Bersatu back to Harapan but at present, Muhyiddin appears to have the upper hand in the party. - Mkini