PASIR GUDANG: Barisan Nasional (BN), through Umno, has announced its intention to field a candidate for the upcoming Kemaman parliamentary by-election on Dec 2.
Umno vice president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said Umno's participation in elections is not on the basis of winning or losing.
He said the by-elections provide an opportune time for political parties, including Umno, to connect with the local community and convey the direction of their political struggles.
"Winning or losing is not the question. Nor is it a matter of courage or fear.
"When a by-election occurs, it offers us the opportunity to engage with the people and elucidate the principles of our struggle, party planning, and other aspects.
"So it is up to the people whether they want to accept it or not. If Pas is confident that they can win big, why are they afraid for us to join the election?
"InsyaAllah (God-willing), we will field a candidate," Khaled, who is also the Higher Education Minister said after officiating the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Pasir Gudang Campus in Bandar Seri Alam, here, yesterday.
Yesterday, Bersatu Information Chief, Datuk Razali Idris said it was not too late for Umno to withdraw from the by-election to avoid a humiliating defeat as in the previous Kuala Terengganu by-election.
The Election Commission previously set the Kemaman by-election in Terengganu on Dec 2 with Nov 18 set as the nomination day.
Early voting day is set for Nov 28 with a 14-day campaigning period.
The Kemaman by-election was held following the decision of the Terengganu Election Court on Sep 26 to cancel the victory of Pas candidate Che Alias Hamid in the 15th General Election.