THE Pakatan Harapan government is hoping for victory in the Cameron Highlands parliamentary by-election on January 26 so that it can be used as a stepping stone in efforts to take over Pahang from Barisan Nasional.

DAP deputy chairman Gobind Singh Deo said for that reason, PH candidate M. Manogaran should win so that better services could be delivered to locals as PH now administered the federal government.

“When we look at the past, we have had candidates from BN for 61 years and yet, we find that the problems affecting the people here all this while have yet to be resolved.

“I have spoken to the community and found a sense of frustration because these are problems affecting their daily lives and livelihood. So, I think this is the time for us to look at making changes,” said Gobind, who is also communications and multimedia minister.

Gobind, who is also Puchong MP, said this after a get-together between PH leaders and 200 members of the Orang Asli community in Cameron Highlands, which was also attended by Manogaran, at the Quintet Hall today.

On PH’s chances of winning the by-election following BN’s move to field a candidate from the Orang Asli community, Gobind said that although BN was seen to have an advantage, particularly in garnering the support of the Orang Asli community, Manogaran is believed to have the upper hand concerning local issues of interest to the people.

“Of course, it will be difficult for us. I still feel that, at the end of the day, we have to look at someone who is familiar with the issues of the entire community here and someone who is able to speak up and find solutions for them,” he said.

On Senator Bob Manolan, who allegedly threatened Orang Asli village chiefs to support PH at an event in Pos Betau, Gobind said he would leave the matter to the police to investigate.

“I don’t want to comment as the case is under police investigation, so let them do their job,” he said.

Yesterday, Pahang Umno Youth had lodged a police report on Manolan’s statement allegedly warning tok batins in Cameron Highlands that they stood to lose their salaries and posts if they did not support PH.

The by-election will see a four-cornered fight between BN’s Ramli Mohd Nor, PH’s Manogaran and independents Sallehudin Ab Talib and Wong Seng Yee. – Bernama, January 12, 2019.