PAHANG Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail wants political parties to let the Barisan Nasional candidate win the Chini by-election, after PKR said it will not contest the seat.

In a statement, Wan Rosdy, who is also state BN chief, said that any outdoor activity during this pandemic would only help spread the Covid-19 virus.

“Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that now is not the right time to have an election due to the situation and efforts to curb the virus.

“There is no need to have the nomination day or voting. We need to avoid outdoor activity that could contribute to the spread of the virus,” he said, adding the government could save more than RM4 million if the by-election is cancelled.

Wan Rosdy said BN was not being arrogant in asking for a walkover but was stating a reality.

“That is why it is practical for independents and other sponsored candidates not to contest the seat,” he said, adding that the suggestion may also be seen as undemocratic but his was the best solution in light of the current Covid-19 pandemic.

His statement comes after PKR had said today that it will not field a candidate for the Chini by-election next month.

PKR secretary general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the decision was made after considering the safety and health of voters in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, noting virus has not been fully contained.

“At the same time, in the context of the ‘new normal’ standard operating procedures (SOPs) being drafted in the run-up to the election, the safety and health of voters are still a concern,” he said today in a statement.

He said the ban on public gatherings of more than 20 people would impact campaigning, while the guidelines for door-to-door campaigns were uncertain.

After taking these factors into consideration, he said the Pakatan Harapan presidential council decided not to field a candidate for the July 4 by-election in Pahang.

The Chini seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Abu Bakar Harun, 60, due to a heart attack on May 7.

The Election Commission has set the nomination for by-election on June 20, with early voting on June 30 and polling on July 4.

In the 14th general election in May 2018, Abu Bakar polled 10,027 votes to win the seat by a majority of 4,622 votes against PAS candidate Mohd Fadhil Noor Abdul Karim who obtained 5,405 votes and Mohamad Razali Ithnain of PKR (1,065 votes). – June 6, 2020.