BAYAN LEPAS: A PKR leader today admitted that the party is just an underdog in Rantau compared to its main competitor Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who has the upperhand.
Party secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the party should work hard and never underestimate the influence of Mohamad, better known as 'Tok Mat' who is also the incumbent in the state seat by-election.
"We can never underestimate the power of incumbency, they (Barisan Nasional) have the edge and we began the campaign as the underdog for the seat.
"We are done with the first half of the campaign period and now PKR and Pakatan Harapan (PH) have no other choice but to improve our campaign methods by meeting the voters on the ground.
"We are left behind on certain matters but I believe we are catching up," he said, after officiating a safety carnival Al-Huda mosque, here.
The Rantau by-election will see a four-cornered contest between PH, BN and two independent candidates.
PKR has field in Dr S. Streram under PH to lock horns with Tok Mat (BN) while R. Malar, 51, and Mohd
Nor Yassin, 67, were also competing for the seat as independent candidates.
The by-election was triggered by the Election Court’s decision last November to allow Dr Streram’s petition for fresh polls.
Polling day has been fixed for April 13, with early voting on April 9. Campaigning will stretch for 14 days, from March 30 to April 12.
Speaking about the chances of PKR winning the seat from BN, Saifuddin said that he would let the analysts do the estimation.
"We remain optimistic and will carry out a systematic campaign, from digital and on the ground.
"We will also be receiving reports from the call centres and from there, will know the voting pattern. Basically, we know the kond of improvements needed." he added.