Sungai Kandis by-election: PAS will only contest in straight fight

KUALA TERENGGANU: PAS will only field its candidate to contest in a straight fight in the Sungai Kandis state by-election, which is due to be called following the death of incumbent Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei of Pakatan Harapan (PH) on July 2.
PAS secretary general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan said this was because PAS had only recorded a mediocre performance in the state constituency during the 14th General Election (GE14) in May.
"If other opposition parties, such as the Barisan Nasional, are not contesting, PAS is most likely to field its candidate for a straight fight.
"However, if there is a three-cornered fight, then PAS' candidacy will be reconsidered because we want to avoid vote splitting which will only bring about similar results as in the GE14."
He said this to reporters when met at PAS' Aidilfitri event here today, which was also attended by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and Terengganu Mentri Besar Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar.
Mat Shuhaimi, 50, breathed his last at 11.10am on July 2 after losing his battle against lymphoma cancer at Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Selangor.
In the GE14, Mat Shuhaimi won the Sungai Kandis seat after garnering 23,998 votes, defeating Datuk Kamaruzzaman Johari of BN (11,518 votes); PAS' Mohd Yusof Abdullah (7,573) and Parti Rakyat Malaysia's (PRM), Hanafiah Husin (76).
The Election Commission will convene a special meeting tomorrow to discuss the matters pertaining to the by-election. — Bernama