THE Pelangai by-election in Pahang will see a three-way fight among candidates from Barisan Nasional (BN), Perikatan Nasional (PN) and an Independent, the Election Commission said.

At the close of nomination today, returning officer Shahid Ismail said the contest for the seat on October 7 will be among BN’s Amizar Abu Adam, PN’s Kasim Samat and Independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli.

Amizar, a Bentong Umno committee member, and Kasim, who is from PAS, will be contesting the seat for the second time. Haslihelmy is the president of Pertubuhan Suara Anak Pahang. 

The Pelangai state constituency has 16,456 voters.

The by-election comes following the death of former Umno assemblyman and Pahang executive council member Johari Harun in the plane crash near Bandar Elmina in Shah Alam on August 17.

This is also Amizar’s second attempt at winning a state seat having previously contested the Ketari state seat in the general election last year.

Early voting is set for October 3.

Previously, Johari captured the seat with a majority of 4,048 votes after polling 7,308. He beat Kasim, who polled 3,260 votes while Pakatan Harapan’s Ahmed Wafiuddin Shamsuri, received 2,031 votes.

Pejuang candidate Isa Ahmad lost his deposit after receiving 65 votes. – September 23, 2023.