BERSATU deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu has welcomed DAP’s proposal for the Grik by-election to go uncontested following the death of its incumbent, Hasbullah Osman, on Monday.

The proposal was put forward by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng yesterday in recognition of the services of the late MP, apart from considering that challenes facing the country in the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Faizal, who is also Perak menteri besar, said with the spike in Covid-19 cases, all activities, including campaigning, should be stopped to prevent the virus’ spread.

“We are trying to avoid a by-election, campaigning efforts and so on, which could lead to the spread of Covid-19. We are seeing a spike in cases and efforts should be made to stop the spread of the disease,” he said.

He said this at a press conference after witnessing an exchange of a memorandum of understanding between the Perak Children’s Aspiration Centre and Sekretariat Usahawan Perak with telco redONE Network Sdn Bhd in Ipoh today.

On whether Bersatu would field a candidate should the Grik by-election go on, Faizal said his party will discuss this with Umno and PAS before making any decision.

In the 14th general election, Umno’s Hasbullah secured a 5,528-vote majority to win the Grik seat, defeating PAS candidate Mohd Dahalan Ismail and Bersatu’s Ibrahim Mohd Hanafiah.

Meanwhile, Perak Umno liaison committee chairman Saarani Mohamed echoed Faizal’s concern.

“If the Election Commission (EC) decides to hold a by-election, there is no problem, but my hope is (that we can) retain the Barisan Nasional candidate unopposed.

“Of course, it should be supported by friends from PAS, Bersatu and BN, as well as the opposition PKR, DAP and Amanah. After all, just one seat will not change anything.

“I think it is more noble for the seat not to be contested if all parties can be open-minded.” – Bernama, November 18, 2020.