The Pelangai state by-election starts today with the nomination process at the Felda Kemasul Public Hall in Bentong, Pahang. Potential candidates have an hour, from 9am to 10am, to submit their nomination papers. The Election Commission’s returning officer will announce the list of eligible candidates after this.
As of September 18, a total of seven sets of nomination forms have been sold. Three sets were purchased by representatives of Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional each, and one set was bought by an organization, according to Bernama.
Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional have selected experienced grassroots leaders as their candidates for the by-election on October 7. Barisan Nasional pins its hopes on 50-year-old Datuk Amizar Abu Adam, a resident of Felda Chemomoi, to defend the seat won by Barisan in the 15th General Election (GE15) last year. In GE15, Amizar was Barisan’s candidate for Ketari but lost that contest. Ketari and Pelangai are both part of the Bentong parliamentary constituency.
Perikatan Nasional once again chooses Bentong PAS vice-president, 63-year-old Kasim Samat, as its candidate. Kasim contested in Pelangai during GE15 but lost to Barisan’s Datuk Seri Johari Harun by a majority of 4,048 votes.
The by-election was called following Johari’s death in a plane crash in Shah Alam, Selangor on August 17.
Pertubuhan Suara Anak Pahang president, 36-year-old Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli, intends to contest in Pelangai as an Independent candidate.
A total of 16,456 voters, including 36 policemen and three absentee voters, are eligible to cast their ballots in this by-election.
Pahang Meteorological Department director, Nazian Zainal Abidin, predicts clear skies in the morning for Pelangai. However, thunderstorms and rain are expected in the area during the afternoon and evening.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
