PUTRAJAYA: Barisan Nasional is ready to contest in a by-election if the Nenggiri state seat in Kelantan is confirmed vacant by the court, says Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid, who is also the Umno president, said that BN lost the seat in the previous state election by just over 800 votes.
He said that as part of the preparations, the coalition is focusing on gathering the latest data and mobilising their machinery at the grassroots level.
"For BN, our loss was by only slightly over 800 votes, so if there's a by-election, we are (would consider ourselves the) underdogs (in this area).
"We respect the decision made by the Kelantan state assembly speaker. However, we also need to respect that this matter has been taken to court.
"Despite various opinions from political analysts and legal practitioners, we believe it should be decided by the court first," he said.
He said this when met by reporters after a special meeting programme with participants and organisers of the mid-season cup for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang 2024, Moonton Games Malaysia, held here today.
The Nenggiri state seat was held by Bersatu assemblyman Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, who is also Gua Musang member of parliament.
He declared his support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's unity government last year. However, he also said he would continue to support the PAS-led state government.
When asked whether Azizi should be given the opportunity to contest again under BN, Zahid said that matter could be discussed.
"I think our stance is that in any constituency where there is a by-election, priority should be given to the incumbent if they come from a component party within this government.
"We appreciate that BN candidates are also supported by the machinery of the unity government, and this is what we are currently doing in Sungai Bakap. It is not impossible to do the same in the Nenggiri constituency," he said.
On Wednesday, Kelantan Assembly speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah declared the Nenggiri state seat vacant, paving the way for a possible by-election. (https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2024/06/1065476/kelantan-declares-n... )
Amar said that the seat was declared vacant effective on that day, following a notification of Azizi's termination by Bersatu, which was received on June 13.
Nenggiri is one of 45 state seats in Kelantan. During the 15th General Election, Azizi contested the seat on a Pas-Bersatu ticket and won with a majority of 810 votes.
Azizi garnered 6,517 votes against Barisan Nasional's candidate Ab Aziz Yusoff, who received 5,707 votes.