Barisan Nasional may not field a candidate in next week's Penanti by-election in Penang but PKR candidate Mansor Othman believed he would still face BN and Umno indirectly in the form of independent candidates.

Despite BN's decision on Monday not to contest the by-election, Mansor suspected that Umno would sponsor independent candidates to ensure that PKR does not have an easy ride to victory in Penanti.

Pointing out that Umno would always relish a prospect of scoring a win over its bitter enemy PKR in any electoral challenge, he said a BN victory - via the independents - would be even sweeter if it did not contest.

mansor othman interview 300409 03 "Umno has nothing to lose now but PKR has everything to lose for. A defeat in our stronghold will be a major blow to PKR.

"Umno will surely love an upset victory without contesting, through an independent candidate," the 58-year-old former academician told Malaysiakini today.

Mansor, who is set to become the deputy chief minister (1) in the Pakatan Rakyat state government if he wins the by-election, also cautioned party campaign workers not to rest on their laurels and take things easy due to Umno's absence.

Several observers said the absence of Umno candidature would prompt a lower voters' turnout.

This, Mansor warned, would affect PKR chances of winning big in Penanti, which comes under the party supremo Anwar Ibrahim's parlimenatary domain, Permatang Pauh.

"We will mobilise our party workers to boost the turnout. We will not relax.

"It's a big battle for us because we are still up against Umno and BN indirectly," he said.

Umno has traditionally contested Penanti on BN ticket.

The independent factor

gerakan umno zahid hamidi penang penanti pc 150509 02 Party's vice-president and Penang Umno liaison committee chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ( centre ) said recently that his party would give a "tough time for PKR" even though it was not contesting in Penanti.

Last week Umno youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and women chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil also conducted separate fact-finding tours in Penanti.

Drawing cue from Ahmad Zahidi's warning and the visits by Khairy and Shahrizat, Mansor said it was clear that Umno would back independent candidates to make life difficult for him and PKR in the by-election.

Nomination falls on this Saturday and polling will be held on Sunday, May 31.

Former PKR state women chief Aminah Abdullah and businessman Mohd Saberi Othman have already announced their intention to contest as independent candidates.

There is also speculation that another independent in the form of a former local MCA leader would join the fray on nomination day.

The seat fell vacant after its incumbent elected representative, former DCM 1 Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin resigned on April 16 on personal grounds.

Penanti has 15,384 registered voters comprising 72.6 per cent Malays, 24.2 per cent Chinese, 2.4 per cent Indians and 0.7 per cent others.

mohd saberi othman independent candidate for penanti penang by election 190509 04 Observers suspect that Mohd Saberi ( right ), who announced his candidacy only a few hours after BN chairperson and premier Najib Abdul Razak informed about the coalition's decision not to contest, could be the independent man planted by Umno.

It's learnt that Mohd Saberi, whose hometown is Kubang Semang in Penanti, was a former aide to former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

However, Mohd Saberi has insisted that he was never a member of any political party and rejected claims that he was sponsored by any quarters.

Nonetheless Mansor fancies his chances and believes that the electorates would not be swayed by the presence of independent candidates.

"Voters know independent candidates lacked clear political agenda and principles because they don't represent any party.

"I am sure Penanti voters will give me the chance to serve and spearhead PKR political agenda in the state government for the betterment of all communities," he said.