Lokman, a member of Umno’s supreme council, reasoned that the PAS support, coupled with votes from BN supporters and some from PKR, would be enough to see him elected as Sungai Kandis assemblyman.
“If BN can get full backing from PAS supporters and about 14% from PKR voters, as well as maintain the votes that BN garnered in the last general election, we are confident we will win.
“I hope the backing from PAS will turn into votes: PAS supporters are loyal and will normally abide by decisions of the party leadership,” he said after attending a ceramah by the Islamic party in Kota Raja last night.
PAS information chief Nasrudin Hassan had urged party members on Saturday to reject Pakatan Harapan in the by-election as the ruling coalition had failed to follow Islamic principles in administering the country.
“We must ensure they lose, we must reject PH,” he told a crowd of 3,000 at a rally in Kuala Lumpur.
Central committee member Khairuddin Amam Razali said PAS supporters had no choice but to support BN as Pakatan Harapan had shown many weaknesses including Islam being sidelined.
Selangor PAS chief Sallehen Mukhyi also urged voters to choose the BN candidate, to ensure a check and balance in the state government.
Lokman said the PAS support for BN would help prepare the party to face PH at the next general election. “I think we both know that for us to come out strong against PH we need to unite.”
PAS is not contesting the Sungai Kandis by-election, which is between BN, PKR and an independent. The party said it wished to avoid splitting opposition votes, but until Saturday had stopped short of urging its members to vote for BN.