Harapan, BN to share stage in Tioman polls campaign

 

Having just ended the 15th general election campaign as rivals, the ongoing Tioman by-election campaign trail will see Umno and Pakatan Harapan top leaders share the same stage for the first time tomorrow in an alliance under the new Pahang unity state government.

The ceramah at Pasar Besar Rompin car park will feature Pahang Harapan chairperson Amirudin Shari and Pahang BN chief Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, who returned to serve as state menteri besar, as well as Amanah president Mohamad Sabu.

Previously contested by Amanah for Harapan, this time, party secretary-general Dr Hatta Ramli said a decision was made to give way for BN to contest the state seat.

"Amanah sees the Tioman by-election as one of the new Pahang state government’s clashes with race and religious extremist groups that needs to be handled seriously.

"In that spirit, Amanah sees the need to create close ties within the state government’s component (parties) in going up against the Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate," Hatta said in a statement earlier today.

Discussing best campaign strategies

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that BN candidate Mohd Johari Hussain will meet his Harapan counterpart Mohd Fadzli Mohd Ramly soon to discuss their framework and campaign strategy.

Pakatan Harapan’s Mohd Fadzli Mohd Raml

“I am now at the initial stage of discussions with the (Harapan) representative for us to plan the best strategy for the next course of action.

“This is also to ensure smoothness in our campaigning because this is something that is quite unusual to happen in Pahang,” Johari was quoted as saying.

The Tioman by-election is a five-way fight involving incumbent Johari, Harapan’s Fadzli, PN’s Nor Idayu Hashim, Pejuang’s Osman A Bakar and independent candidate Sulaiman Bakar.

Polling for Tioman was postponed to Dec 7 after PN candidate Md Yunus Ramli, 61, died of a heart attack on the morning of polling day on Nov 19. - Mkini