PD POLLS | The opposition should refrain from contesting in the upcoming Port Dickson by-election, according to PAS vice-president Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.

“If you ask me, we should not contest because it is not important since the by-election is being held to satisfy an individual's needs,” he told reporters in Kota Bharu this afternoon.

The deputy Kelantan menteri besar was referring to the by-election being engineered for PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim to return to Parliament.

Amar said even PAS leaders are not interested in contesting the seat, which has been a PKR stronghold since the 2008 general election.

“So if BN does not want to field a candidate, we let Anwar 'menanglah' (win),” he said, though stressing that this was just his personal opinion.

Umno is expected to announce its decision on whether it will contest in the by-election later this afternoon.

Read more: Umno No 2 gives party 3 reasons to stay out of PD polls

However, Nik Amar said the ultimate decision on the seat will be made in a party meeting. 

"We have yet to discuss the matter, and it will be decided upon before the nomination day," he noted. 

Amar's stance seems to be in contrast with that of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who on Sept 15, was quoted saying Anwar should not be allowed to get a "free win" in Port Dickson. 

"We don't want to give a free win. If no one is contesting, then PAS can contest," he had told a press conference after officiating the 64th PAS muktamar in Kuala Terengganu.

Thus far, only Parti Rakyat Malaysia and two independents have announced that they will be going up against Harapan in the by-election.

PRM said last week that it has three possible candidates in mind to be fielded in Port Dickson.

Earlier this month, Harapan supporter Stevie Chan said he decided to contest as an independent as part of a growing backlash to Anwar’s engineering of a by-election so soon after GE14.

The other independent, former MIC secretary G Kumar Aamaan, today said he would pull out and campaign for Anwar if Umno decides not to contest.

The Port Dickson by-election is being held after the incumbent Danyal Balagopal Abdullah resigned to pave way for Anwar’s return to Parliament.

In GE14, the former senior navy officer defeated BN's VS Mohan and PAS' Mahfuz Roslan with a 17,710-vote majority.

Nomination day will be on Sept 29 while Oct 13 has been set as the polling day. There are 75,770 registered voters in the constituency.