BARISAN Nasional (BN) candidate Amizar Abu Adam is confident that the participation of former Umno member Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli as an Independent candidate in the Pelangai by-election will not dent his chances of winning.

Amizar said as far as he could tell, the mood of the Pelangai voters looks to be in favour of BN.

“I don’t feel threatened. We are a democratic country, we do not stop any from contest. Please contest here, we give everyone a chance,” he said.

Amizar was speaking to reporters during a walkabout at the Felda Chemomoi night market in Bentong today.

The Pelangai by-election on October 7 is a three-cornered fight between Amizar, Haslihelmy and Kasim Samat of Perikatan Nasional.

The by-election was called following the death of Johari Harun in a plane crash near Bandar Elmina in Shah Alam on August 17.

The Election Commission has set polling for October 7 while early voting is on October 3.

Yesterday, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Haslihelmy has been automatically stripped of his Umno membership for contesting as an Independent candidate in the by-election. – Bernama, September 24, 2023.