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BENTONG: The Pelangai state by-election is a battle that Barisan Nasional needs to win to build confidence for the 16th General Election (GE16), says Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (pic).
He said a victory in Pelangai will raise the morale of its members and hearten the coalition after its dismal performance in GE15.
"Make this by-election our resurgence. We cannot afford to be comfortable, the machinery has to work hard to win because we are not strong yet, having ‘drowned’ in GE15.
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"Although GE16 is still a long way off, this (Pelangai by-election) serves as a start for us to prepare for the real battle.
"Still, the victory cannot be used to gauge our ability and strength because we are... in the phase of ensuring the party's survival.
"We are not strong (enough yet) and we still need political partners," he told reporters after a programme at Felda Chemomoi here on Wednesday (Sept 27) night.
Also present were Pahang Umno liaison chairman Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and the Barisan candidate for Pelangai, Datuk Amizar Abu Adam.
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Mohamad said Umno can only reassess its strength after GE16, which is due in 2027.
"At the moment, we are focused on winning in any by-election, including this one in Pelangai, and I am confident that we can win, and even get a larger majority than in GE15," he added.
The by-election was called following the death of its assemblyman Datuk Seri Johari Harun, 53, in a plane crash in Shah Alam, Selangor on Aug 17.
It will be a three-cornered fight for the seat involving Amizar, Kasim Samat of Perikatan Nasional and Independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasni.
Polling for the by-election is on Oct 7.
In GE15, Johari won the seat with a 4,048-vote majority in a four-cornered fight that included Perikatan, Pakatan Harapan and Pejuang.
Meanwhile, when asked about Umno veteran Abdul Rahman Bakar's call for an immediate overhaul of the party's leadership in Terengganu after losing badly in GE15 and in the Aug 12 state election, Mohamad said the matter would be discussed by the party after the Pelangai by-election. – Bernama
