Kemaman by-election: Not too late for Umno to withdraw – Razali

KUALA TERENGGANU - Umno still has a window of opportunity to withdraw from the upcoming parliamentary by-election in Kemaman on Dec 2.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu (Bersatu) information chief Datuk Razali Idris said it was not too late for Umno to step aside and avoid an embarrassing defeat, similar to what happened in the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election.

He said that Umno faced challenges in winning the Kemaman Parliamentary by-election and Perikatan Nasional (PN) was optimistic that Pas's candidate would secure a significantly larger majority.

"It's not too late for Umno to decide to withdraw since the candidate nomination day is still some time away.

"Umno also needs to prioritise the welfare of the people who will face floods during the monsoon season.

"In the current situation, what's more important for Umno: the people or continuing the by-election? "Considering that the outcome of the Kemaman Parliamentary by-election can already be predicted (Pas will win), it's better for Umno to withdraw to avoid an embarrassing loss," he said.

Razali made these comments during a press conference following the Special Meeting of the Terengganu State Leadership at the Bersatu Terengganu State Headquarters yesterday.

The Election Commission (EC) set the polling day for the Kemaman Parliamentary by-election in Terengganu for Dec 2, with the nomination day and early voting scheduled for Nov 18 and Nov 28, respectively.

The Kemaman Parliamentary by-election would he held following the decision by the Terengganu Election Court on Sept 26, which invalidated Pas's candidate Che Alias Hamid's victory in the 15th General Election (GE15).

Yesterday, Umno Terengganu Chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Said was appointed as the Barisan Nasional (BN) Director for the by-election.

This appointment was announced by Umno Secretary-General Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who chaired Umno's Supreme Council Working Committee meeting, led by Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, last night.

Furthermore, Razali stated that his party would work diligently to reciprocate Pas's assistance in the recent State Elections in Aug.

He ensured a stylish victory for the Kemaman parliamentary seat, maintaining it as part of the PN and Pas.

"When I contested in the Kemaman State Constituency in the last State Election, Pas significantly helped us to seize that seat from Umno (which was won by Datuk Seri Ahmad Said).

"So now it's time for Bersatu to work tirelessly to retain Pas's victory in the Kemaman Parliamentary By-Election with all the resources we have, in addition to the strategies that have been arranged to make it happen," he elaborated.

The Terengganu Election Court revoked Che Alias's victory in the Kemaman Parliamentary seat during GE15 on Sept 26, following allegations of corruption during the campaign.

On Oct 3, Pas, through its Secretary-General, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, announced that it would not appeal the decision of the Parliamentary Election petition concerning the Kemaman Parliamentary seat.

In the previous battle for the Kemaman Parliamentary seat, Che Alias secured a majority of 27,179 votes, winning a total of 65,714 votes, defeating Ahmad (BN), who received 38,535 votes.