KOTA BAHARU, Aug 22 – Kelantan Umno has been asked to go all out in the upcoming Pengkalan Kubor by-election despite the state constituency seen as a Barisan Nasional (BN) stronghold.
Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan said he had held discussions on this with Kelantan Umno chief Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed to ensure the seat remains with the BN.
“All preparations must be done early because we cannot take the by-election lightly,” he told reporters after opening Pengkalan Chepa Umno Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings’ delegates meeting here today.
Ahmad also represented Umno in extending condolences to the family of Datuk Noor Zahidi Omar, 57, the incumbent Barisan Nasional assemblyman for the constituency who died of liver cancer at a hospital in Guangzhou, China on Wednesday.
Noor Zahidi’s remains are being flown home today and are expected to arrive at his house in Pasir Pekan, Tumpat tonight.”We (Umno) also wish to record our deepest appreciation for the contributions made by Noor Zahidi, especially at the state level as he was also Kelantan Umno deputy chief.
“His replacement has a heavy responsibility but for now a meeting has yet to be called to decide on who will be the (Umno) candidate for the seat,” Ahmad added.
Election Commission (EC) Kelantan director Mohamad Mahmud said the EC would only be deciding on the date for the by-election after being officially notified by Kelantan State Legislative Assembly speaker Abdullah Ya’kub.
Noor Zahidi was a three-term assemblyman of Pengkalan Kubor and also Tumpat Umno chief for four terms.In the last general election held in May last year, he defeated Saharun Ibrahim of PKR and independent candidate Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary by a majority of 1,736 votes.
– BERNAMA
