Making way for precious goods: During the state polls, ballot boxes from N40 Kota Anggerik arrived at the main counting centre, Dewan Besar Tanjung Section 19 in Shah Alam. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
KUANTAN: Political leaders in the state are not keen on the idea of holding the Pelangai by-election concurrently with the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections in Johor.
Bentong Umno deputy chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Zaini Salleh said it does not seem feasible to hold concurrent by-elections.
“I believe the timing is too close. Time is needed not only by Umno but the contending parties as well to prepare and present their offers to voters,” he said when contacted.
Mohamad Zaini, however, said the division would abide by whatever decision the Election Commission (EC) makes.
The EC has set the nomination and polling dates for the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections for Aug 26 and Sept 9 respectively.
Pahang DAP secretary Lee Chin Chen said time is needed for the contending parties as well as the EC to prepare for the Pelangai by-election, which is already too close to the Johor by-elections.
“The EC will only hold a meeting tomorrow to discuss the dates for the Pelangai by-election.
“It will be rather challenging for the commission to make preparations for the Pelangai by-election should it be held concurrently with the other two by-elections,” he said.
Lee said political parties also need time to prepare their machinery for the by-election.
“This will ensure that both sides are given a level playing field to contest and present ideas and plans on developing the constituency as well as the Pahang state as a whole,” said Lee, who is also the Pahang state assembly deputy speaker and Bilut assemblyman.When asked about the matter on Monday, state EC director Datuk Zamree Hamli merely said that it would be discussed in the special meeting scheduled for tomorrow.
The Pelangai state seat fell vacant after Umno leader Datuk Seri Johari Harun died in the Aug 17 plane crash in Elmina township, Shah Alam.
Johari, who represented Barisan Nasional, had won Pelangai with 7,308 votes, beating Perikatan Nasional’s Kasim Samad (3,260 votes), Pakatan Harapan’s Ahmed Wafiuddin Shamsuri (2,031 votes) and Isa Ahmad from Pejuang (65 votes) in the election last year.
Pahang PAS commissioner Rosli Abdul Jabar and state Perikatan chairman Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah could not be reached for comment.
Rosli, meanwhile, posted on social media that “God willing, Pahang Perikatan is chasing seat number 18”.
The opposition, Perikatan, currently holds 17 seats in the 42-seat Pahang state assembly.
The rest are held by Barisan and Pakatan, which are partners in the state unity government.
