State seat still in limbo

PH’S Tioman candidate prepared to step aside for bn

ROMPIN: With the Pahang state government yet to be formed a week after the polls, there is great interest in the fight for the Tioman state seat.

In the latest development to reflect the unity government in Putrajaya, Pakatan Harapan has said it is ready to make way for Barisan Nasional if directed by the coalition’s top leadership.

Pakatan’s candidate for the Tioman state seat Mohd Fadzli Mohd Ramly (pic) said the matter had been discussed at the coalition’s presidential council, taking into account the current political situation at the federal and Pahang state assembly level, but no decision had been made so far.

“Perhaps after this, there will be further discussion about seat negotiations involving the Padang Serai (parliamentary seat) and the Tioman state seat because Padang Serai is important for us to increase our numbers in Parliament.

“Since I have not been informed of any directive about our position here, I will carry on with the campaign,” he told Bernama.

The 15th General Election (GE15) saw Barisan winning 16 seats in Pahang, just one behind Perikatan Nasional, while Pakatan secured eight seats, which resulted in a hung state assembly as no party or coalition obtained a simple majority of 22 seats.

Although he is ready to make way, Mohd Fadzli, however, is not letting go unconditionally.

He wants Barisan candidate Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Hussain, who is also incumbent assemblyman, to give his assurance that he would solve the problems faced by the islanders, particularly involving water, land and infrastructure.

However, Mohd Fadzli said the two of them had yet to meet to discuss the matter.

Polling for the Tioman state seat was postponed following the death of Perikatan candidate Md Yunus Ramli on polling day on Nov 19.

Apart from Mohd Fadzli and Mohd Johari, other candidates vying for the seat are Nor Idayu Hashim from Perikatan, Osman A. Bakar of Pejuang and Independent candidate Sulaiman Bakar.