The decision of DAP not to field any candidate at the coming Tanjung Piai parliamentary constituency by-election is to ensure harmony in the Pakatan Harapan government.

In the spirit of solidarity, Tanjung Piai DAP chairman Yeo Tung Siong (above) said the party had earlier decided not to nominate a candidate although traditionally the seat was held by DAP.

‘’We have considered it a lot, so from the start, DAP already had a stand. No! We will not contest in the parliamentary constituency because what is important is not only winning or losing in the by-election but we must see if any action we take will have a bad long term effect to Harapan,’’ he told Bernama when met recently.

 He said DAP would give full support to the Harapan candidate who will be contesting in the area and would set up its by-election campaign machinery at the Pekan Nanas state assembly constituency service centre and in Kukup town.

In addition, DAP would also correct the negative perception that the party often dominated Harapan after becoming the government, following the victory at the 14th General Election, he said.

On the issues that would be highlighted during the by-election campaign, the Pekan Nanas state assemblyman said the party also rejected racial sentiments which might be played up during the campaign period.

As such, he hoped the by-election this time would be a healthy competition regardless of whom the candidates were.

The Election Commission had announced the nomination date on Nov 2 and polling day on Nov 16.

The Tanjung Piai parliamentary constituency was vacated following the death of incumbent Dr Md Farid Md Rafik on Sept 21 due to heart complications.

-Bernama