UMNO will only contest in the Kimanis parliamentary seat by-election after conducting a study on its strength in the constituency, said party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the party needed to gauge if it still had support on the ground following the defection of its incumbent, Anifah Aman, to become an independent last September.

“We want to see our strength in the seat. The local Umno division is now helmed by Mohamad Alamin, who has been assisting Anifah in moving the party’s machinery (forward).

“Umno and Barisan Nasional will make a decision on contesting after looking at the data gathered,” he said after officiating the Petaling Jaya Umno division meeting today.

Last week, an election court in Kota Kinabalu declared the outcome of the 14th general election for the Kimanis seat null and void after finding irregularities in the form of additional ballots in ballot boxes.

Anifah is set to appeal the decision to reclaim his poll victory. The Election Commission, also a party to the suit, has said it will not appeal the decision.

A by-election will only be held after all appeals have been exhausted.

Zahid’s remarks today, however, were in contrast to his deputy, Mohamad Hasan’s stand yesterday.

Speaking at the Tuaran Umno divisional meeting, Mohamad had said Umno would be ready for the Kimanis by-election, adding that preparations were under way, even though the matter was still under appeal.

“Umno state chief Bung Moktar Radin and other top leaders will call for a meeting to deploy our machinery and all preparations for a by-election.

“The question if there will be an election is secondary, but our readiness is important. A prepared mind always produces good results,” he had said.

Bung Moktar has also been reported as saying that Sabah Umno has shortlisted candidates for the by-election. – August 18, 2019.