BARISAN Nasional (BN) is ready to contest in the Kemaman parliamentary by-election, if it is held, after the election court nullified PAS candidate Che Alias Hamid’s victory in last year’s general election.

BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said although the coalition lost by a big majority in the November polls, there is still the possibility of BN springing a surprise.

“We can challenge even if we are the underdogs in the current situation. We are confident that the people and voters can make the right choice and support (BN) again,” he told reporters after the launch of the MyFutureJobs Career Carnival at Felda Chemomoi in Bentong today.

On September 26, the Terengganu election court nullified the victory of Che Alias, with judge Anselm Charles Fernandis saying the petitioner, Wan Mohamad Hisham Wan Abdul Jalil (a voter), had succeeded in proving that corruption had taken place with the aim of influencing voters in the election.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan was reported to have said it would only decide whether to appeal the court decision after studying the grounds of judgment.

In the general election, Che Alias won the Kemaman seat with a majority of 27,179 votes after obtaining 65,714 votes to defeat BN’s Ahmad Said (38,535 votes), Pakatan Harapan’s Hasuni Sudin (8,340 votes) and Pejuang’s Rosli Ab Ghani (506 votes).

Asked if Ahmad, who is a former Terengganu menteri besar, would again be fielded in the constituency, Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, said the matter had not been discussed yet.

On the Pelangai state by-election, Zahid said he is confident that BN will retain the seat.

“However, we must continue to strive because we know the opposition will try its best to deny us the support of the people in Pelangai,” he said.

“I am confident that voters in Pelangai are very close to BN and will pick a representative who can provide continuity of service.”

He said an assemblyman who is “on the same wavelength with the state and country” will definitely be able to provide the best service for the people of Pelangai.

Asked about the allegations by Takiyuddin on the unusually heavy police presence during the campaign activities of Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the Pelangai by-election, Zahid said it was just an issue being played up by the opposition to cause confusion.

“The police are very professional in carrying out their duties and they try to accommodate all parties and their candidates during campaigning. Do not question the professionalism of any enforcement agency, including the police,” he said.

The Election Commission has fixed October 7 for the Pelangai by-election following the death of its incumbent assemblyman, Johari Harun, in a plane crash in Shah Alam, Selangor, on August 17.

BN candidate Amizar Abu Adam, Kasim Samat of PN and Independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasni are contesting for the seat. – Bernama, September 30, 2023.