The Malaysian Insight

A CANDIDATE from Bersatu will contest as Pakatan Harapan’s representative in the upcoming Tg Piai by-election in Johor, said party president Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said this is based on the current PH policy that seats will be contested by a candidate from the incumbent party.

“I believe that the seat belongs to Bersatu, going by Pakatan Harapan’s policy that the incumbent party should contest if a seat becomes vacant,” Muhyiddin said.

He said they have not chosen a candidate but are currently looking through a list to find the ideal person before the November 16 polls.

“We have a list (of candidates). We have looked at many, but we have to find the suitable one who can fulfil the needs of Tg Piai constituents,” he said after launching the Security and Public Order (DKKA) document in Putrajaya today.

Muhyiddin also said the party is wary of the recent spate of by-election defeats PH has suffered at the hands of Barisan Nasional, including the Semenyih by-election that saw the incumbent Bersatu losing to Umno’s Zakaria Hanafi.

“We have taken into account the experiences of the past, not only Semenyih. We have taken the time for feedback and have carried out many post mortems,” he said.

He said PH will have a more effective strategy in place and will embark on a more comprehensive campaign.

“We will clarify issues the public does not understand, including rumours that are spread on social media in the last few months,” he said.

Muhyiddin said he will chair a meeting tomorrow in Muar, Johor to discuss the election machinery at state and central levels.

“We will discuss what needs to be done to defend the Tg Piai seat and this will involve the state and central leadership,” said Muhyiddin.

The Tg Piai parliamentary seat became vacant when the 42-year-old Bersatu MP Md Farid Md Rafik died of a heart attack last month.

The constituency has 53,528 voters, of which 56.8% are Malay, 41.64% Chinese, 1.01% Indian, 0.55% others.

The Election Commission announced that nomination day will be on November 2 and polling will take place on November 16. – October 3, 2019.