KEMAMAN: Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang has disclosed that Perikatan Nasional (PN) are attempting to woo Umno representatives to be part of the coalition.
He said not all Umno leaders are backing Barisan Nasional's (BN) alliance with Pakatan Harapan (PH) under the unity government banner.
"This by-election is not only about Kemaman alone...although it is known as the Kemaman by-election but it is largely for the entire country generally. This is to defend the Malay seats in PN.
"We are in the midst of persuading Umno as not everyone (in Umno) supports PH ...convincing other parties to join (form alliance with PN). Victory in Kemaman is vital," he said during the "Ceramah Perdana" at Dewan Sivik Kijal, Kemaman yesterday.
On PN's candidate for the Kemaman by-election Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, Hadi said the Terengganu menteri besar had previously served for several years as his political secretary.
"He is a university lecturer in the field of aerospace technology. I told him to contest in Ru Rendang(14th general election) which I previously held.....I withdrew. I told the people in Ru Rendang to support him and he won big.
"Since we want to take a huge step forward with the federal government.. When there is a vacancy in Kemaman, we named him (Ahmad Samsuri) to contest as we want to strengthen his and our position in the federal government....this is important.
"There is no problem being a federal (member of Parliament) and serving as the Terengganu menteri besar. I have gone through it in 1999 when I served as the Terengganu menteri besar and opposition leader in parliament...holding both positions is not a problem," he said, adding PN has named a candidate who can represent them at both state and federal level when the time arrives.
Meanwhile, Hadi, who is the Marang member of Parliament, said PN's election machinery must coax elderly voters to come out and cast their ballots on Dec 2.
"This is important as many from that group did not support Pas and chose to be with BN during the last general election and recent state elections.
"Most of the senior citizens are comfortable with life today compared to during the Japanese era as they can work, pray and live in harmony. In the recent general and state elections, the youth wave occurred where youngsters aged between 21 and 40 years old supported us.
"Those left behind were the elderly aged between 60 and 70 years old and when we called them to support us (Pas), they reply that it was more tough during the Japanese era while now they can go to sea(fishing), perform prayers and no one disturbs them.
"They(senior citizens) make such calculations as they do not understand politics. If possible, (we must) convince them to support us (Pas)," he said.
The Kemaman parliamentary by-election on Dec 2 is a straight fight between Ahmad Samsuri and former Armed Forces Chief General (R) Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor, who is fielded by Barisan Nasional.
The by-election was called following the decision of the Terengganu Election Court on Sept 26 to annul the victory of Pas candidate Che Alias Hamid in the 15th General Election.
