PAS will not contest the Semenyih state seat by-election, giving way to Barisan Nasional to lead the opposition’s challenge, said secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan.

The decision was made by the party leadership at a meeting yesterday.

“PAS hopes this by-election will strengthen the opposition in the state assembly so that we can provide check and balance and be a constructive opposition,” he said in a statement today.

The Semenyih by-election has been necessitated by the death of its assemblyman – Mohd Bakhtiar Mohd Nor of Bersatu – of a heart attack last Friday.

The Election Commission will meet tomorrow to fix a date for the by-election – the sixth to be held since the 14th general election last year.

PAS’ decision to sit out in favour of BN is a continuation of a trend in which both the former and Umno remain united to oppose Pakatan Harapan.

Takiyuddin said PAS will activate its machinery in Semenyih to help the opposition in the by-election.

The party also urged its members and supporters to back the opposition candidate.

In the 14th general election last May, Bakhtiar polled 23,428 votes to beat candidates from BN, PAS and PSM to win by 8,964 votes.

Umno, whose candidate stood in Semenyih in GE14, has not announced its decision.

BN’s Johan Aziz was defeated in the last general election after holding the seat since 2008.

PSM’s S. Arutchelvan has also been contesting the state seat since 2008. – January 17, 2019.