PETALING JAYA: PAS vice-president Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar says the Kemaman by-election has been “imposed” upon voters because some “disappointed” people were unhappy with the Islamic party’s victory in the 15th general election (GE15).
Samsuri, who is the PAS candidate in the by-election, said the election was unnecessary as it places a burden on the voters, requiring them to go to the polls for the third time in a year.
“This is an imposed election because there are dissatisfied parties.
“Voters in Kemaman need to send a clear message on the significant decision they made in GE15,” Samsuri said at a press conference in Chukai.
The Kemaman by-election is a straight fight between Samsuri, who is also Terengganu menteri besar, and Raja Affandi Raja Noor, a retired army general and former defence forces chief, nominated as a direct candidate by Barisan Nasional.
The by-election will take place on Dec 2 with early voting set for Nov 28.
The by-election was called following an election court decision which annulled the victory of PAS candidate Che Alias Hamid in GE15 last year. The court held that the distribution of government aid to voters during the campaign period constituted election bribery.
Meanwhile, Samsuri said the support for his party has increased since the election court ruling because the government failed to solve various issues.
“Look at the domestic trade and cost of living ministry. There has been no minister directly responsible for four months, and temporary responsibility has not resolved the issue.
The post of domestic trade and cost of living minister fell vacant following the death of former Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub on July 23.
Subsequently, on July 30, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim named Armizan Ali as the interim minister for the portfolio.