Pakatan Harapan will discuss whether its ally will contest in Sungai Besar, said PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali.

“(We will) discuss and discuss,” he said when asked if Harapan will contest in the seats that traditionally belong to PAS or even face contests against each other or with its former comrade.

He also predicts that the by-election will be held either before Ramadan or during the fasting month.

“They have to conduct the by-election within 60 days, and that 60 days (will expire) on (July) 2 or (July) 3.

“I don't think they will conduct the by-election during Hari Raya. So, it is certainly in the fasting month or before fasting month starts on June 6,” he said.

“But in any event, we have to prepare,” said Azmin, who is also Selangor menteri besar.

Azmin, who invited PAS to move forward with Harapan following the Sarawak state polls, said they would have to explore various ideas of working together with PAS, including the possibility of asking PAS to rejoin the coalition.

“We should learn from the experience in Sarawak, if there is a need to review, then it needs to be discussed with all the parties following the feedback of the people,” he said.

He was asked whether they will ask PAS to join Harapan.

Azmin said Najib should be concerned because the late Noriah only won by a 399-vote majority in the last general election, while Khair-il won with a 1,082-vote majority.

Both Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister and Sungai Besar parliamentarian Noriah Kasnon and BN Kuala Kangsar Member of Parliament Wan Muhammad Khairil Anuar Wan Ahmad were killed when the helicopter carrying Noriah, Khairil and four others including the pilot when missing from radar minutes after leaving Betong bound for Kuching last Thursday.

The others victim included the ministry’s secretary-general Sundaran Annamalai, Noriah’s husband Asmuni Abdullah, her bodyguard Ahmad Sobri Harun and Filipino pilot Rudolf Rex Ragas.

Search and rescue operations found debris from the helicopter wreckage and later recovered all the bodies.

Noriah won by a 399-vote majority in the last general election, while Khair-il won with a 1,082-vote majority.