Harapan and BN to turn up the heat in Tanjung Piai
Both Pakatan Harapan and BN are set to ramp up their campaign efforts in Tanjung Piai ahead the official start of the by-election campaign period on Nov 2.
Both coalitions are set to launch their campaign machinery on Monday at separate events.
Both Pakatan Harapan and BN are set to ramp up their campaign efforts in Tanjung Piai ahead the official start of the by-election campaign period on Nov 2.
Both coalitions are set to launch their campaign machinery on Monday at separate events.
Harapan is also expected to unveil its candidate for the parliamentary constituency who will come from Bersatu.
However, BN is expected to launch its campaign machinery without a candidate as Umno and MCA have yet to come to a consensus on which party will contest the constituency.
Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin will on Monday launch Harapan's machinery for the by-election and also introduce the party's candidate at the Hai Kee Hall in Pontian at 2 pm.
The parliamentary seat of Tanjung Piai and its adjacent federal constituency of Pontian are both within the Pontian district.
Johor Bersatu sources confirmed the event, adding that Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir will also be present.
However, the source said Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is also the prime minister, is not scheduled to attend the event.
The Foreign Ministry, in a statement, had said that Mahathir will be on an official visit to Turkmenistan beginning today with Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov hosting him at the Oguzkhan Palace on Monday.
Two hours after Harapan's event, BN will host its own function at the Pontian Umno headquarters with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expected to be present.
Despite the ongoing candidate negotiations between Umno and MCA, BN will still put on a united front for the launch of its machinery.
BN sources confirmed that MCA president Wee Ka Siong will also be present for the event. It is unclear if PAS representatives will also be present as the Islamist party has limited influence in Johor.
Tanjung Piai has been a traditional MCA seat and among its former MPs include former MCA president Ong Ka Ting.
However, MCA's incumbent MP Wee Jeck Seng lost the seat to Bersatu's Mohd Farid Mohd Rafik in the last general election by only 524 votes.
Wee has indicated that he is prepared to give the seat another go this time around but Umno grassroots are lobbying for the seat to be given to them,
Muhyiddin has been in Pontian since yesterday to meet with party grassroots as well as locals.
Both coalitions are taking advantage of the extended weekend as Deepavali falls on Sunday with a replacement public holiday on Monday, meaning that the Dewan Rakyat won't be in session.
The by-election was called after Mohd Farid passed away from a heart attack last month.
Tanjung Piai voters will go to the polls on Nov 16.
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