KUANTAN: A total of 600 police officers and personnel will be deployed to ensure safety during the Pelangai state by-election, says Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman.
He said the number was sufficient, and those involved have undergone training sessions in preparation for the by-election.
"Based on our experience during the previous election, the security in the areas concerned was good, guaranteed and well-controlled, with no untoward incidents.
"The police are confident that the by-election can be conducted in a safe and peaceful manner,” he told reporters after attending the Pahang Police Contingent monthly assembly at its headquarters here on Tuesday (Sept 12).
Yahaya also reminded candidates contesting in the Pelangai by-election not to play up the issues of 3R (religion, race, royalty) and to obtain permits for their ceramah.
The Pelangai state by-election was being called following the death of the incumbent, Datuk Seri Johari Harun, 53, who was the state Local Government, Housing, Environment and Technology Committee chairman, in a plane crash near Bandar Elmina in Shah Alam, Selangor, on Aug 17.
The Election Commission set the polling day on Oct 7, with the nomination on Sept 23 and early voting on Oct 3.
In the 15th General Election, Johari won the seat with a 4,048-vote majority, defeating Perikatan Nasional’s Kasim Samat, who obtained 3,260 votes, Pakatan Harapan’s Ahmed Wafiuddin Shamsuri (2,031 votes) and Pejuang’s Isa Ahmad (65 votes). - Bernama
