KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 — The Sungai Kandis by-election will be a one-on-one contest between Umno and PKR, said Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki who revealed that PAS will make way for his party.
The Umno Youth chief said he was so informed by the party’s leadership, which also directed his movement to begin mobilising the party’s election machinery.
“Based on what we were informed by the party leadership, PAS is willing to make way for Umno to contest in the by-election,” said the senator.
Asyraf said the Youth wing has nominated one person as the candidate, but that it is up to the party’s top leadership to make the final decision.
“We have high hopes for the young candidate to be given a chance to contest the by-election,” he said.
The Sungai Kandis by-election was called following the death of Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei, the incumbent assemblyman from PKR, on July 2.
Nomination is this Saturday while polling day will be on August 4.
Asyraf said the by-election is the first time that Barisan Nasional (BN) will be contesting as an Opposition party, but added that it will continue to make full use of its grassroots, which has been its strength to date.
“I am glad that the party has decided to contest in this election. This is a first test not only for the newly-elected Umno youth leadership, but also to gauge the support of the people towards BN and Umno,” he said.
Asked how Umno Youth plans to finance its campaigning when the party’s bank account has been frozen, Asyraf said the wing has volunteers who are helping as much as they can.
“BN and Umno understand struggles. Even if we are afflicted, we won’t drown,” he said.
He also claimed membership in Umno has risen after the 14th general election, but was unable to furnish the numbers.
