Anwar did not discount the possibility the opposition would play up racial and religious sentiments to win votes, like what it did in Saturday’s Cameron Highlands parliamentary by-election.

He said PH would focus instead on delivering its promises to help uplift the well-being of the people.

“I’m optimistic that we have the right policy (and if) we go down to serve the people, we will be able to manage.

“But I think that contrary to general perception, it’s not right to say that the race card is too relevant. It’s how we deliver (pledges to the people),” he told reporters after the closing of the 2019 Malaysia Economic and Strategic Outlook Forum here today.

The Semenyih by-election is being held following the death of PPBM assemblyman Bakhtiar Mohd Nor, 57, of a heart attack on Jan 11.

In the 14th general election last May, Bakhtiar garnered 23,428 votes to beat Johan Abd Aziz (Barisan Nasional), Mad Shahmidur Mat Kosim (PAS) and S Arutchelvan (PSM) by a majority of 8,964 votes.