BENTONG: Independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasni described his 'thrashing' in the Pelangai state seat by-election yesterday as expected.
The 36-year-old businessman said his move to contest in the by-election had at least put the political parties on the alert, especially Barisan Nasional (BN) who worked extra hard to retain the seat.
"I realised that defeat was certain when I first expressed my intention to contest but there is nothing wrong in trying. My campaign team consists of seven individuals taking on two (political) party battalions which is no easy task.
"Look how anxious they (the opponents) were, especially Barisan Nasional who were so determined and went all out to win in Pelangai.
"The presence of an independent candidate and his election machinery has somehow helped the people in Pelangai to receive assistance and aid as announced by the Prime Minister(Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim)," he said in a statement today.
Haslihelmy's campaign workers in Pelangai only consisted of his family members including his father Datuk Zulhasli Abd Rahman, siblings, uncle, nephew and other relatives.
The former Kampung Sum-Sum Umno member, who was stripped of his Umno membership after deciding to contest in Pelangai, said despite losing his deposit, he will continue to be in politics.
"This is not the end for me, especially in politics. I will continue monitoring, and serve as a check and balance in Pahang through the Pertubuhan Suara Anak Pahang (PSAP) platform," he said, thanking those who provided assistance and voted for him in Pelangai.
In the by-election yesterday, Haslihelmy lost his deposit after receiving 47 votes. BN's Datuk Amizar Abu Adam won after securing 7,324 votes while Perikatan Nasional's Kasim Samat bagged 4,375 votes.