KUALA LUMPUR: The unity government will put forward the most suitable candidate who is well-accepted by the community in the Kemaman by-election.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said they would have to tread the waters carefully as Pas obtained a more than 27,000-vote majority in the 15th General Election (GE15) for the parliamentary seat.
However, he said, discussions on the by-election has yet to start.
"We haven't discussed about Kemaman yet. (Pas) had a large majority of about 27,000 votes (in GE15), but we are not scared.
"However, we are of the opinion that we need a candidate who is most suitable in that area and someone who is well accepted," said Zahid, who is Barisan Nasional chairman, when speaking to reporters at Wisma Berita, Angkasapuri, here, today.
The Election Commision had last week said it would set the ates for the Kemaman by-election following the Terengganu Election Court's ruling to nullify Che Alias Hamid's win in the parliamentary seat.
EC secretary Datuk Indera Ikmalrudin Ishak said the commission received the report from the court on its decision to nullify the result of the election in Nov 19 last year after an election petition was filed against the result.
The court held that the petitioner, voter Wan Mohamad Hisham Wan Abdul Jalil, had proven that corruption had taken place with the aim of influencing voters.
Since there was no appeal filed up until the 14-day deadline ended, in accordance with Section 36C of the Election Offences Act 1954 and Federal Constitution, the EC has to issue an election notice to fill the vacancy within 60 days from the deadline to submit the appeal.
The EC will hold a special meeting on Oct 17 to be chaired by its chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh to set the nomination and polling dates for the by-election.