BARISAN Nasional (BN) needs to win the Pelangai by-election to build the coalition’s confidence for the 16th general election, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan said.

He said BN’s win in Pelangai will help raise the morale of members, hence strengthening the party after its dismal performance in the last general election.

“Make this by-election our resurgence. We cannot afford to be comfortable. The election machinery has to work hard to win because we ‘drowned’ in GE15.

“Although GE16 is still a long way off, this (Pelangai by-election) serves as a start for us to prepare for the real battle. Still, the victory cannot be used to gauge our ability and strength because we are still in the phase of ensuring the survival of the party,

“We are not yet strong and we still need political partners,” he told reporters after a “Sembang Santai BN” programme at Felda Chemomoi last night.

Also present were Pahang Umno liaison chairman Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and BN candidate Amizar Abu Adam.

Mohamad said Umno can only reassess the party’s strength after the next general election, to be held in May 2027 at the latest.

“At the moment, we are focused on winning in any by-election, including this one in Pelangai. I am confident we can win, and even get a larger majority than in the last GE15,” he added.

The Pelangai by-election is held following the death of incumbent assemblyman Johari Harun, 53, in a plane crash in Shah Alam, Selangor, last August 17.

It will be a three-cornered fight for the seat among Amizar, Kasim Samat of Perikatan Nasional and Independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasni.

Polling for the by-election is on October 7. – Bernama, September 28, 2023.