Mahfuz: BN-PAS will contradict themselves by joining by-election

There was no need for the BN or PAS to participate in the upcoming Tanjung Piai by-election, said Amanah vice-president Mahfuz Omar.

Mahfuz said this was because 18 PAS MPs and six Umno MPs had already stated their support Dr Mahathir Mohamad to complete his term as prime minister.

"If they joined the campaign, they are contradicting themselves. They already stated their wish to see the PM's term be completed.

"MCA and Gerakan too should not field a candidate or campaign because it would contradict the wishes of their leaders (in PAS and Umno)," said Mahfuz in a statement last night.

According to PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan, all 18 PAS MPs will back Mahathir to serve a full term.

Six Umno MPs made a similar declaration on Oct 24.

Their backing for Mahathir followed news reports that Umno's Hishammuddin Hussein was engineering a plot to disrupt Pakatan Harapan's internal agreement to allow PKR president Anwar Ibrahim from taking over reigns.

Currently, it is uncertain whether BN will field a candidate from MCA or Umno for the by-election which will be held on Nov 12.

Traditionally, BN has assigned MCA in Tanjung Piai. However, given that most of the constituents are Malay, Umno has expressed interest in fielding a candidate.