BAGAN DATUK: Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has expressed hope that the party will be given a walkover in the Gerik parliamentary by-election in Perak, in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In connection with this, he also hoped that PPBM and PAS, who are Umno’s partners in Perikatan Nasional, would help the party defend its seat in the event of a contest.
The support of both parties is necessary for Umno to triumph again in its Gerik stronghold, he told reporters after attending a “Ziarah Kasih” programme here.
The Election Commission has set Jan 16 next year for the by-election following the death of its incumbent, Hasbullah Osman, on Nov 16 from a heart attack.
In the GE13, Hasbullah defeated Norhayati Kasim from PAS with a majority of 6,216 votes. He retained the seat in GE14 with a majority of 5,528 votes to win against PAS candidate Mohd Dahalan Ismail, and Ibrahim Mohd Hanafiah from PPBM.
On the potential candidate, Zahid, who is also the Barisan Nasional chairman, said the party would field a local candidate as that individual would have better knowledge and understanding of the problems in the area.
“We will choose the best among the best,” he said.
On the possibility of the by-election being postponed with an emergency declared like what happened in Batu Sapi, Zahid said it may not happen as Gerik is in a green zone.