Umno won’t demand Sungai Bakap seat, says Nibong Tebal chief

Umno will not insist on contesting the Sungai Bakap state seat in the coming by-election but will continue to support Pakatan Harapan (PH) out of respect for its coalition partner, Nibong Tebal division chief Rashidi Zinol says.

(FMT) – Rashidi said PH is expected to represent the unity government bloc in the poll, despite acknowledging that some grassroots want Barisan Nasional (BN) to reclaim the seat from Perikatan Nasional (PN), as reported by FMT yesterday.

“PH will remain the contender in Sungai Bakap. If we want to be friends, we have to be sincere and respect our partner.

“We leave it to the unity government leadership to make the decision. Umno’s focus is on preparing the machinery to ensure victory for the candidate,” the Penang exco told FMT.

Rashidi, who is also the Sungai Acheh assemblyman, added that ties between unity government parties were good despite the call by BN grassroots.

“The division has never discussed fielding a candidate in the by-election, but we do welcome the grassroots’ voices who offer their views,” he said.

Yesterday, FMT quoted sources as saying that the grassroots were hoping for the unity government to nominate a BN candidate as an acknowledgment of Umno’s contributions, including supporting Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister.

They also wanted PH to make way for BN in the by-election to reciprocate Umno’s help in securing victory for PH’s Pang Sock Tao in Kuala Kubu Baharu recently.

“Of the 16 Umno branches in the Sungai Bakap state constituency, almost all agree that Umno should contest in this by-election on behalf of the unity government,” the leader said.

The Sungai Bakap seat was vacated following the death of Nibong Tebal PAS chief Nor Zamri Latiff on May 24 after he was admitted to Seberang Jaya Hospital on May 1 for stomach inflammation.

Zamri defeated PH’s Nurhidayah Che Rose with a 1,563-vote majority in a straight fight last August.