A BARISAN Nasional victory in the Semenyih by-election will reflect the people’s dissatisfaction with Pakatan Harapan’s track record and its promises, said Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

“This is a testing ground for BN to see how much the people can express their unhappiness with the PH government’s fake promises.

“It’s been torture even though it has only been nine months. The people have not gotten what they wanted, as the cost of living has been going up,” Asyraf said at a joint press conference with PAS, Ikatan and Berjasa in Semenyih.

He said the cost of living and prices of inflating commodities, along with the supposed abolished tolls, will play a big role in this by-election, as the locals deal with tolls daily.

“Petrol prices have never reached the RM1.50 promised, while other subsidies such as for tolls have not been abolished. The people of Semenyih face tolls everyday,” he said.

Asyraf said that BN will create a new task force to ensure that the PAS, Ikatan and Berjasa machinery will together strengthen the collaboration between the parties to disclose the PH government’s misconduct.

“We will create a task force comprising the youth of Umno, PAS, Ikatan, and Berjasa to detail the opposition’s programmes to strengthen its people-centric collaboration.

“We have seen PH ignore too many lies and issues since they took power.

“We have to realise the party leadership’s desire to strengthen the opposition bloc to face the PH government for our religion and the people,” he said.  

Asyraf said Semenyih’s people of various economic backgrounds represent Malaysian society well, as the district boasts both villagers and elites living in Bukit Mahkota.

“The demographics here are interesting. There are middle-to-low and middle-to-high income groups, villagers, and educated people.”

The Semenyih seat fell vacant following the death of its assemblyman, Mohd Bakhtiar Mohd Nor, 57, after passing away from a heart attack on January 11.

This will be the first time Umno will face off against its splinter party, Bersatu, in an electoral contest since the 14th general election in May.   

Nominations are on February 16, with early voting on February 26 and the by-election on March 2. – February 10, 2019.