Vice-president Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said PPBM should not field an outsider.

“This is a Malay-majority seat and people still vote along racial lines,” he told FMT in an interview.

Tanjung Piai, with over 40% Chinese voters, has been traditionally a battleground for MCA and DAP.

The seat was contested by PPBM’s Dr Md Farid Md Rafik in the general election last year, who defeated his closest rival, MCA’s Wee Jeck Seng.

Farid died last month after suffering a heart attack. Yesterday, the Election Commission announced that polling for Tanjung Piai will be held on Nov 16.

The constituency has 57% Malay voters, followed by Chinese (42%) and Indians (1%).

Rashid said people should be patient in expecting changes under the PH government, saying the coalition had inherited problems when it took over the administration.

“The finances and administration were a mess, and we are now in the process of fixing them.

“Give Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad the chance,” he added.

Meanwhile, Rashid, who heads Putrajaya’s Election Reforms Committee, said the body will be meeting all political parties to get their views on improving the election process.

“I have high expectations and I hope they can provide good feedback. This is a serious matter for the future of our country. We have to be responsible,” said the former EC chairman.

The first meeting which takes place today involves all political parties including from Sabah and Sarawak.

ERC was established last year to recommend reforms in the existing electoral system, processes and laws.