PONTIAN: An Umno division chief has suggested that contesting the Tanjung Piai by-election should be held in a rotational basis, with the Barisan Nasional (BN) backbone contesting the seat this time around.
Tanjung Piai Umno Division Chief, Datuk Jeffridin Atan said the proposal was based on the solid support the Malay party has received from its branches and branch chief in the division.
“They want the seat to be given to Umno, a Barisan Nasional party, this time around,” he said after attending a meet the people session by former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at Rimba Terjun here today.
Jefridin hoped that other BN component parties would mull over the proposal.
“Support from the people has begun shifting following the weakness shown by the government and they (the people) feel cheated.
“We are aware the substantial funding had been allocated to this by-election, it is understandable they have the money, but how far is the truth.
“Every one is talking of the country does not have money but is borrowing here and there, and suddenly in the upcoming by-election they want to approve projects which are worth millions of ringgit”, he said.
He said Umno’s move to contest the seat was to ensure they become a credible and effective opposition.
“If the people and members of the community want a balanced and effective development they should be intelligent in making their choices in the current by-election,” he said.
Tanjung Piai seat has been traditionally held by the MCA since its creation in 2003, following a parliamentary constituency re-delineation exercise.
The 9th by-election since the 14th General Election (GE14) last year is being held following the death of Tanjung Piai incumbent Datuk Dr Md Farid Md Rafik on Sept 21.
The 42-year-old Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department died at the Pontian Hospital due to complications stemming from a heart attack.
In GE14, Dr Farid beat Datuk Seri Wee Jeck Seng from BN by a slim margin of 524 votes. Dr Farid garnered 21,255 votes compared to Wee, who secured 20,731 votes.
The Election Commission (EC) has fixed Saturday Nov 16 as the date for the by-election, with nomination taking place two weeks prior on Saturday Nov 2. Early voting will be held on Nov 12, with a 52,986 electorate qualified to cast their votes.
