BARISAN Nasional will give way to PAS in the Seri Setia by-election, said Mohamad Hasan today.

The Umno deputy president said it was a goodwill gesture towards the Islamist party, which he hoped with pave the way for further collaboration in the future. 

“It is a gesture of thanks to PAS for giving way to Umno in Sg Kandis and this is to explore the further cooperation among the two parties,” Hasan told The Malaysian Insight.

The former Negri Sembilan menteri besar made the announcement during the Sg Kandis campaign trail with BN candidate Lokman Noor Adam.

“I have just announced it,” he said.

Seri Setia assemblyman Dr Shaharuddin Badaruddin died from colon cancer yesterday.

In the last general election, Shaharuddin, who is also PKR vice-president, secured the Seri Setia state seat by 29,250 votes, defeating Yusoff M Haniff (BN).

Yusoff obtained 9,878 votes, trailed by PAS candidate Mohd Ghazali Daud (4,563 ) and independent S. Vigneswaran (217).

While both PAS and Umno have repeatedly denied that they are working together, recent events suggest otherwise.

The Islamist party, claiming opposition solidarity, elected not to contest the Sg Kandis by-election.

Its secretary-general, Takiyuddin Hassan, said Islamist party would not be supporting Pakatan Harapan as the current government has failed to meet public expectations.

The seat fell vacant after Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei, 50, died of cancer on July 2.

The by-election tomorrow is a three-cornered fight between Umno Supreme Council member Lokman Noor Adam, Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni (PKR) and K. Murthy (independent).

Although the outcome of the Sg Kandis by-election will not affect the Selangor government, it could be an indication on whether Umno can still hold on to its Malay support base. – August 3, 2018.