PAS will not contest the Sungai Kandis by-election, said Takiyuddin Hassan, setting the stage for a straight fight between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan.

The Islamist party’s secretary-general said the party would give way to Umno, to avoid a three-cornered fight that will split the opposition vote.

“We decided in the meeting that we will not be contesting,” he told The Malaysian Insight when contacted.

Earlier today, Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Mohd Dusuki claimed PAS gave way to Umno to contest in a straight fight with PH.

The seat fell vacant after its assemblyman, 50-year-old Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei, died of cancer last month.

In the 14th general election, PKR’s Shuhaimi defeated Kamaruzzaman Johari (Barisan Nasional) and Mohd Yusof Abdullah (PAS) with a 12,480-vote majority.

Although the outcome of the Sg Kandis by-election will not affect the Selangor government, it could be a bellwether on whether Umno can still hold on to its Malay support base. – July 19, 2018.