Pakatan set to put up a fight for Chini in by-election

KUANTAN: Pakatan Harapan will not give way to an easy win for Barisan Nasional in the Chini by-election, says the coalition’s state chairman Fuziah Salleh.

She said her party, PKR, had listed at least five names as potential candidates for the by-election to be held on July 4.

However, she was unequivocal in her response when asked why it was important for Pakatan to contest the by-election during the Covid-19 pandemic and also considering the low chances for PKR to secure victory.

“Barisan will not get an easy win. No walkovers.

“There are many ways to skin a cat. We have yet to decide how,” the Kuantan MP said in a text message yesterday.

She added that Pakatan would ensure that there were no easy paths for Barisan.

Several groups, as well as Pahang PAS, have urged Pakatan and potential independent candidates not to contest the Chini by-election but to give way to Barisan.

Among the reasons cited were that the results of the last general election strongly favoured Barisan and the existence of Muafakat Nasional could only mean even greater support for it.

Furthermore, Pahang PAS said a walkover could prevent a flurry of activity and retain the people’s commitment to breaking the chain of Covid-19 infections.

Fuziah said a strict standard operating procedure could prohibit Pakatan from mobilising its campaign workers.

Asked whether there was room for cooperation with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s camp in Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, she said Pakatan would work with any side that wanted Barisan out.

The Chini by-election was triggered following the death of Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Harun on May 6.

In the 14th General Election, Abu Bakar obtained 10,027 votes against Mohd Fadhil Noor Abdul Karim of PAS (5,405 votes) and Mohamad Razali Ithnain of PKR (1,065 votes).

Chini is one of four state seats under the Pekan parliamentary constituency held by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

In recent days, one of Najib’s sons, Mohd Nizar, 42, who is Pekan Umno Youth chief, had been speculated to be Umno’s candidate for the by-election.