Kasim will be getting a second shot at the seat, considered an Umno stronghold, having contested for it in the last general election.

The seat fell vacant following the death of Umno assemblyman and exco member Johari Harun in the plane crash near Bandar Elmina in Shah Alam on Aug 17.

Nominations will be held on Saturday, with early voting set for Oct 3.

In GE15, PN fielded Kasim, or better known as Cikgu Kasim, for the Pelangai seat.

He was defeated by Johari with a 4,048-vote majority in a four-cornered contest that also featured candidates from Pakatan Harapan and Pejuang.

At a press conference later, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said Kasim was selected as he was a local resident and a former teacher who taught at many schools in the area.

He said while the constituency was considered a BN stronghold, there had been a steady increase in support for PAS based on the outcome of the last two general elections.

Tuan Ibrahim said PN has seen its seats increased from eight to 17 in last year’s nationwide polls.

“That is a big deal and we hope Pelangai will continue to build on this momentum.

“Our candidate was born, bred and lives in Pelangai. Pelangai people want a true-blue Pelangai assemblyman, not one who lives elsewhere,” he said.

Tuan Ibrahim said the Felda settlers, who make up a majority of the voters, have grown disillusioned with the BN government as many projects were abandoned and promises unfulfilled.

He said the second and third-generation Felda voters appeared to be supporting PN this time.

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