IPOH: Perak Perikatan Nasional (PN) will commence a meeting to discuss who will be fielded as a candidate should a by-election in Gerik be called following the death of its incumbent, Datuk Hasbullah Osman on Monday.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who is also Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) deputy president said the matter would be discussed between Umno, Bersatu and Pas soon.
"We need to reach a consensus before making any decision and Bersatu will always work with Umno and Pas," he told reporters after launching the state government's initiative with redONE called the Back to Basics programme at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan, here, today.
Hasbullah, a four-term Gerik member of parliament, died on Monday due to a heart ailment at the Raub Hospital in Pahang at about 7pm.
When asked on DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng who called for no contest by other political parties in the Gerik by-election, he welcomed the idea following the spike of Covid-19 cases in the country.
"It is an acceptable idea and it would be best to avoid from having any elections at the moment. Campaigning periods will result in more damage to the current Covid-19 situation," he said.
Meanwhile, Perak Umno chairman Datuk Saarani Mohamad said that it would be best if the party retained the seat, as it was its traditional seat.
"If the Election Commission (EC) decides to carry on with the Gerik parliamentary by-election, there is nothing wrong if a Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate retains the seat without contest.
"Only one candidate will be named and I am sure it will be supported by Pas, Bersatu and other components in the Perikatan Nasional.
"It will be great if DAP, PKR and Amanah (Parti Amanah Negara) do not contest due to the current Covid-19 situation. In fact, we already have a government and with only one seat, it would not change anything.
"I believe if every party is open to this, to accept BN as the sole candidate, there would be no reason for there to be an increase in Covid-19 cases since there will be no campaigning periods and meeting people," he added.
In the 14th general election, Hasbullah from Umno secured a 5,528-vote majority to win the Gerik seat, defeating candidates from Bersatu and Pas.