Selangor PH chief Amirudin Shari said former village chiefs and former members of village committees were among those sought, as they still have influence in their respective areas.

He said the strategy would help PH’s machinery to woo support for the unity government’s candidate, Joohari Ariffin, Bernama reported.

“There have been positive developments so far (from this approach) but it is still too early (to say definitively). There is still much work to be done,” he was quoted as saying. “We are focusing on the networks we have at the state, federal, and government (party) levels to connect with the voters,” he said when met by reporters at an event in Sungai Duri, Nibong Tebal.

Amirudin, who is also Selangor menteri besar and a PKR vice-president, added that a “clear signal” on the outcome of the by-election would be seen before polling day with this strategy.

PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said that collaboration between PH and Barisan Nasional in the Sungai Bakap by-election campaign had been at its strongest since the formation of the unity government coalition.

“God willing, this will help us as we head towards polling day,” he said, adding that many campaign events organised by PH and BN have been well-received by local residents.

The by-election is a straight fight between former teacher Joohari, of PKR, and Perikatan Nasional’s Abidin Ismail, formerly an aide to assemblyman Nor Zamri Latiff of PAS. The Penang state assembly seat fell vacant following Zamri’s death on May 24.