KOTA BARU: Barisan Nasional (BN) will send its machinery to assist Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the Sungai Bakap by-election.
BN treasurer-general Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the coalition's machinery would go to the ground in helping the PH candidate.
"Once we have been declared as a friend in the government, we will provide our assistance to PH.
"BN prioritises the country. Although we are not a majority coalition in the unity government, we will assist our partners in the by-election, We will not sabotage the effort," said the Titiwangsa member of parliament.
Johari, who is also Umno vice-president and plantation and commodities minister, said this after launching the Kelantan BN convention here today.
He said as a political party, Umno should not be an enemy to others.
"What is important for Umno and BN right now is to produce new and young leaders," he said.
The Election Commission (EC) has fixed July 6 for the Sungai Bakap by-election.
The by-election was called following the death of Pas assemblyman Nor Zamri Latiff on May 24.
EC deputy chairman Professor Azmi Sharom said the nomination of candidates would be held on June 22 , and early voting is set for July 2.
Azmi also said that the by-election will see 39,279 voters going to the polls with an allocation of RM2.1 million.
Zamri died after being admitted to hospital for inflammation of the stomach. In last year's state polls, he won the Sungai Bakap state seat against PKR's Nurhidayah Che Rus with a 1,563 vote-majority.