Although the Pengkalan Kubor state constituency appears to be a BN stronghold, the party's election machinery needs to redouble efforts to face the by-election on Sept 25.

Umno vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal said although the late Noor Zahidi Omar, the incumbent assemblyman, left a good record throughout his tenure as the elected representative for the constituency, the task of retaining the seat should not be taken lightly.

"Although the assemblyman had contributed a lot, there is still room for improvement. InshaAllah, with the solidarity and unity of the Umno members, we can defend the Pengkalan Kubor seat.

"What is most important, all Umno members must give their solid support to enable whoever is chosen as the candidate to win," he told reporters after opening the delegates meeting of the Pokok Sena Umno division at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Hutan Kampung, near Alor Setar today.

The by-election for the Pengkalan Kubor state seat is being held following the death of incumbent assemblyman, Noor Zahidi, due to liver cancer at a hospital in Guangzhou, China, on Aug 20.

In the general election last year, Noor Zahidi, who stood on a BN ticket, beat PKR candidate Saharun Ibrahim and Independent candidate Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary with a majority of 1,736 votes.

Meanwhile, on the Merdeka Day celebrations tomorrow, Mohd Shafie said the people, regardless of race and religion, must contribute and play their respective role in developing the nation.

- Bernama