Harapan won't field candidate in Chini by-election
Citing concerns for the safety and health of voters, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution has said the party will not offer a candidate in the Chini by-election slated for July 4.
PKR Communications Director Fahmi Fadzil also told Malaysiakini that PKR's withdrawal means that the Pakatan Harapan coalition will not be fielding a candidate.
Citing concerns for the safety and health of voters, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution has said the party will not offer a candidate in the Chini by-election slated for July 4.
PKR Communications Director Fahmi Fadzil also told Malaysiakini that PKR's withdrawal means that the Pakatan Harapan coalition will not be fielding a candidate.
In a statement today, Saifuddin said that although the Ministry of Health and frontline personnel have been able to curb the spread of Covid-19, the outbreak has not been fully contained.
"At the same time, in the context of the 'new normal' standard operating procedure (SOP) being drafted in the run-up to the election, the safety and health aspects of voters are still a concern," he said.
Saifuddin (photo, below) said the SOPs being drawn up would impact campaigning and fieldwork as there would be a ban on public gatherings with more than 20 people and the fact that the procedure for house-to-house campaigns have not been finalised.
"Therefore, taking into account the above matters, PKR and Harapan presidential council have agreed that PKR will not constitute a candidate for the Chini by-election," he said.
The Election Commission has set July 4 as the date for the Chini state by-election following the death of assemblyperson Abu Bakar Harun, 60, of a heart attack on May 6.
The nomination date is set for June 20, while early voting is fixed for June 30.
In the last election, the late Abu Bakar, representing Umno, garnered 10,027 votes and won by a 4,622 majority over PAS' Mohd Fadhil Noor Abdul Karim who received 5,405 votes.
Pakatan Harapan candidate Mohamad Razali Ithnain was a distant third with just 1,065 votes and lost his deposit.
PAS vice-president Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah and Umno Veterans' Club secretary-general Mustapha Yaakub were among those calling for Harapan to give the PN coalition a walkover in the Chini by-election so as to avoid costly polls during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"It is impossible for Harapan/PKR to challenge the coalition of BN/Umno and PAS in this stronghold," Mustapha had said.
PN currently holds 33 of the 42 seats in the Pahang state assembly. Umno has 24 seats, PAS has eight and MCA has one. The Harapan coalition holds nine seats through DAP (seven) and PKR (two).
