SHAH ALAM, Oct 7 — The victory of Barisan Nasional's (BN) candidate Datuk Amizar Abu Adam in the Pelangai state by-election in Pahang today is indicative of the people's increasing confidence in the Unity Government, said Selangor Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari.
Speaking in his capacity as Pahang Pakatan Harapan chairman, he said this growing confidence marks the Unity Government as the best platform to advance and prosper Malaysia.
"Alhamdulillah, Pelangai's residents have shown tremendous support for Unity candidate Datuk Amizar Abu Adam, who has been elected as the representative in today's by-election.
"I thank the entire election and security team who ensured this process, which began two weeks ago, ran smoothly," he said in a statement tonight.
Amizar, 53, won the seat with 7,324 and a majority of 2,949 votes after a three-cornered fight against Perikatan Nasional's (PN) Kasim Samat who obtained 4,375 votes, and Independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasni who received 47 votes.
The Pelangai by-election was held after its incumbent, Datuk Seri Johari Harun, 53, also the Pahang Local Government, Housing, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman, died in a plane crash in Shah Alam on August 17.
During the 15th general election (GE15) on November 19 last year, BN’s Johari won the seat with a 4,048-vote majority, defeating PN's Kasim who obtained 3,260 votes, Pakatan Harapan candidate Ahmed Wafiuddin Shamsuri (2,031 votes) and Pejuang’s Isa Ahmad (65 votes).
Amizar, a native of Felda Chemomoi who holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Management and Leadership from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), made his electoral debut in GE15 as a BN candidate in the Ketari state seat.
However, he lost by a narrow 120-vote majority to Harapan candidate Su Keong Siong who garnered 9,722 votes in a three-cornered contest involving PN candidate Tan Wei Leong (4,290 votes).
