Kuala Kangsar by-election will use Teluk Intan template - Zahid

Ahmad Zahid, who is also an UMNO vice president but carrying out the duties of UMNO deputy president following the suspension of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, said the template which was translated into action by the party's machinery garnered victory for BN in Teluk Intan.

In that by-election on May 31, 2014, BN candidate Datuk Mah Siew Keong won. He defeated DAP candidate Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud with a majority of 138 votes.

"I thank (Perak) Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir for being ready (with the template) for the Teluk Intan by-election which gave results which were very encouraging," he told reporters after chairing a special meeting of the Perak UMNO liaison body here today.

Also present were Zambry, UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

Ahmad Zahid also reiterated his statement earlier that BN was considered the underdog in the Kuala Kangsar by-election, based on the majority of 1,082 votes obtained in the 13th general election.

"We will intensify our efforts because our opponents, whether from PAS or Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) or both want to wrest the Kuala Kangsar seat," he said.

Ahmad Zahid added that the Perak Menteri Besar had also sought help from UMNO in other states to monitor certain locations including the district polling centres.

He said the Kuala Kangsar UMNO division, including its wings were prepared to mobilise their machinery to ensure that the Kuala Kangsar seat remained with BN.

"If the work is continued and the internal problems resolved, we do not see why our candidate who will be selected by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak should have any problems winning," he said.

The Kuala Kangsar by-election was called following the death of incumbent MP Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad in a helicopter crash in Sebuyau, Sarawak on May 5.

Also killed in the tragedy was Sungai Besar MP Datuk Noriah Kasnon, who was also the Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities.