Slim polls: Dr M's faction to consult allies first

The Bersatu faction loyal to Dr Mahathir Mohamad wants to discuss with its allies in the opposition first before deciding whether they would field a candidate in the Slim by-election.

Disputed party secretary-general Marzuki Yahya (above), when contacted by Malaysiakini today, also did not dismiss the possibility of going against PKR for the Perak state assembly seat, despite both being opposition parties.

"We have yet to make a decision. But, we also have the intention to put our candidate to run for the state seat.

"However, we would also discuss this matter with our friends (in the opposition), including Pakatan Harapan.

Marzuki added that it was still too early for his Bersatu faction to announce whether they were going to field a candidate.

For the record, Mahathir's camp is no longer with Harapan and has formed a third bloc together with Warisan as an independent opposition faction.

PKR, which is one of the three components of Harapan, had stated its intention to contest the seat, which was made vacant following the death of its incumbent, Umno's Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib on July 15.

Perak PKR chief Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak announced, a day after Khusairi's death, that PKR will field a candidate in the upcoming by-election.

According to Marzuki however, their Bersatu faction can attempt a run in the by-election as they are an independent bloc, even if it means contesting against another opposition party.

"We will discuss with Harapan to see what is their view. But, because we are now an independent bloc, so we will see how it goes.

"If they still want to field their candidate, and we too want to place ours, then we will fight each other," he said.

The former deputy minister also chided Perak PKR for gunning for the Slim state seat, saying that the latter had the chance to contest the recent Chini by-election but chose not to.

Marzuki said Chini was allocated for PKR to contest in the 14th General Election, while Slim was given to Bersatu. He was referring to the arrangement of seats between Harapan parties for the general polls.

"It was a seat that was given to Bersatu to contest. It's not a PKR seat.

"And in Chini, it was supposed to be PKR's, why didn't they contest there? All of a sudden they made a quick decision to contest in Slim," Marzuki exclaimed.

For the record, Khusairi won the Slim state seat in GE14 against Bersatu's Mohd Amran Ibrahim, and PAS' Muhammad Zulfadli Zainal.

He held the seat for four consecutive terms since 2004. - Mkini