'PN can win big in Pelangai with high Malay voter turnout' - Muhyiddin

BENTONG - Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is confident that its candidate Kasim Samat can win big in the Pelangai by-election on Saturday if 90 per cent of Malay voters turn out to vote.

He said a high voter turnout is important for PN to achieve its goals.

"The voter turnout percentage must reach 99 per cent. I am confident that if the voter turnout is at 99 per cent, even at 90 per cent of Malay (voters), our candidate will obtain a large victory on Oct 7 (Saturday)," he said in his closing speech at the PN Keynote Speech in Felda Chemomoi here yesterday.

The Pelangai by-election was held after the seat was vacated following the death of its incumbent from Barisan Nasional (BN) Datuk Seri Johari Harun in a tragic aircraft crash near Elmina, Shah Alam, Selangor on Aug 17.

PN fielded Samat, a former teacher who was also its candidate for the seat in the 15th general election (GE15), known by the nickname "Cikgu Kasim".

BN fielded a local-born candidate, Datuk Amizar Abu Adam, while independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli is also contesting for the traditional Umno seat.

Pelangai State Assembly has 16,456 voters, of which 73 per cent are Malay voters, or 11,950 individuals.

Muhyiddin urged Umno supporters to vote for PN, saying that the party had allegedly strayed from defending the interests of Malays.

"What was brought in the Umno struggle (previously) is no longer fought for by Umno leaders today," he said.