IPOH: Two teams of Orang Asli activists from Perak Barisan Nasional are already campaigning in the Nenggiri state by-election in Kelantan, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The Perak Barisan chairman and Mentri Besar said the teams have already been stationed at the Sungai Puian and Pos Simpor polling districts in the past week, where they are carrying out door-to-door visits in these villages.
There are an estimated 2,800 Orang Asli voters in the Nenggiri state seat, one of three state constituencies in the Gua Muang parliamentary area.
Barisan candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani is taking on Mohd Rizwadi Ismail of Perikatan Nasional in the Aug 17 by-election, the first polls triggered by the new Anti-Hopping Law.
Perak Barisan’s Orang Asli teams are among 55 members and volunteers that the state chapter has sent to aid the coalition.
“Coincidentally, the Orang Asli from Perak have families in the areas that they are stationed,” Saarani told reporters at an event here yesterday.
“For the Orang Asli areas, we cannot hold ceramah; it is difficult to gather all of them.
“Thus the best way is to go house-to-house, and this role is best for the Orang Asli to carry out.”
The other teams from Perak are stationed at the Sungai Asap South Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar) settlement, Saarani said.
This by-election was called after the Nenggiri seat was declared vacant by Kelantan state assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah on June 19, after Mohd Azizi Abu Naim ceased to be a member of Bersatu on June 13.
Azizi’s membership in Bersatu and Perikatan had ceased after he failed to respond to a letter declaring his loyalty to the party.
In the 2023 state polls, Perikatan captured Nenggiri from Barisan by an 810-vote majority.
