EC to keep by-elections in Pahang, Johor separate

KUANTAN: Political leaders in the state are not in favor of holding the Pelangai by-election at the same time as the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections in Johor, according to Bentong Umno deputy chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Zaini Salleh. He believes that the timing is too close for all parties to adequately prepare and present their offers to voters. Nonetheless, Mohamad Zaini expressed that his division will follow whatever decision the Election Commission (EC) makes. The EC has already set the nomination and polling dates for the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections on August 26 and September 9, respectively.

Pahang DAP secretary Lee Chin Chen also stressed the need for time for both the contending parties and the EC to prepare for the Pelangai by-election, which is already too close to the Johor by-elections. He mentioned that the EC would discuss the dates for the Pelangai by-election in a meeting the following day and highlighted the challenges the commission would face in making preparations if it were to be held concurrently with the other two by-elections. Lee emphasized that political parties require time to set up their machinery for the by-election to ensure a level playing field for both sides to contest and present their ideas and plans for the constituency and the Pahang state overall. Lee is also the Pahang state assembly deputy speaker and Bilut assemblyman.

When questioned about the matter, state EC director Datuk Zamree Hamli stated that it would be discussed in the special meeting scheduled for the next day. The Pelangai state seat became vacant after Umno leader Datuk Seri Johari Harun died in a plane crash in Elmina township, Shah Alam on August 17. In the previous election, Johari, who represented Barisan Nasional, won Pelangai with 7,308 votes, surpassing Perikatan Nasional’s Kasim Samad (3,260 votes), Pakatan Harapan’s Ahmed Wafiuddin Shamsuri (2,031 votes), and Isa Ahmad from Pejuang (65 votes).

Pahang PAS commissioner Rosli Abdul Jabar and state Perikatan chairman Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah were unavailable for comment. However, Rosli posted on social media that “God willing, Pahang Perikatan is chasing seat number 18.” As it stands, the opposition Perikatan holds 17 seats in the 42-seat Pahang state assembly, with the remaining seats held by Barisan and Pakatan, who are partners in the state unity government.