Tanjung Piai by-election could be a dramatic one, says Johor Pakatan

PONTIAN: The Tanjung Piai by-election has been described as possibly a "dramatic one" and Pakatan Harapan cannot afford to take it easy.

Johor Pakatan Harapan elections director Datuk Salahuddin Ayob admitted that it would be an uphill task for the coalition.

However, he said that it would be interesting to see how the people viewed the cooperation between PAS and Umno, and whether MCA was able to win back support among the Chinese.

Sahahuddin said it would also be a testing ground for Pakatan to see how the voters perceived and accepted them after coming to power for one year and seven months.

He expected PAS and Umno to exploit the race and religious issues in the by-election.

"We (Pakatan Harapan) will take the middle path. We will go on moderation and explain to the people what we have done," Salahuddin, a native from Tanjung Piai, said during a press conference here on Tuesday (Sept 24).

He explained that as Tanjung Piai was a mixed seat, support from only one race was not enough.

Salahuddin, who is also Parti Amanah Negara deputy president, hoped a local candidate would be fielded for the seat.

"Whether a man or woman, young or old, as long as it is a local person who is accepted by all communities, that is okay with me," Salahuddin added.

Asked as to who the candidate should be, he said it would be decided by Pakatan's presidential council.

"Anyway, I do not mind being fielded in my own area," he joked, acknowledging that it was a Parti Pribumi Bersatu seat.

The seat became vacant following the death of the incumbent MP, Datuk Dr Md Farid Md Rafik, on Saturday (Sept 21). This will be Johor's 14th by-election since independence.