TASEK GELUGOR: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob is confident the Tasek Gelugor parliamentary seat will return to Umno in the 15th General Election (GE15).
He said this was based on the response and enthusiasm shown by Tasek Gelugor residents, including when they attended the Keluarga Malaysia community programme here today, which was launched by the prime minister.
"Tasek Gelugor is our seat (Umno), but some people took it.
"I want to ensure that Tasek Gelugor returns to Barisan Nasional (BN). That's why I came here.
"If you look at the huge response and enthusiasm shown at today's programme, I am confident that in GE15, the seat will return to us."
In the 14th General Election, the seat was won by Umno's Datuk Shabudin Yahaya with an 81-vote majority.
However, Shabudin, who had been a member of parliament for Tasek Gelugor for two terms on Umno's ticket, announced his departure from the party on Dec 14, 2018, and became an independent representative.
He joined Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) the following year.
However, Shabudin, the former state Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, announced that he would not contest in GE15.
Ismail Sabri said more than one name had been submitted for the seat.
"The candidate has to be winnable, acceptable and likeable."
Asked about Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's recent visit to Tasek Gelugor, who said they were confident of retaining the seat, Ismail Sabri said: "If everyone was not confident, then the seat would be won uncontested.
"That is why we have a contest. But what is sure is that I am more confident than him."