KUALA LUMPUR: PERIKATAN Nasional has yet to decide which party will defend the Nenggiri state seat in Kelantan with leaders from Pas and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) wanting their respective parties to contest the by-election.
Gua Musang Pas chief Azman Ahmad has called for Bersatu to give way to the Islamic party to reclaim the seat won by Mohd Azizi Mohd Naim, who was formerly of Bersatu.
But the Malay-based party's information chief, Datuk Razali Idris insisted his party would contest the seat.
Azizi has ceased to be a Bersatu member owing to his declaration of support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
This triggered a series of events leading to the Nenggiri seat in Gua Musang being vacated, paving the way for a by-election.
Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man had downplayed Azman's call to Bersatu, saying it was his "personal view".
"Nevertheless, Pas will take note of it (Azman's call).
"The matter has yet to be decided by PN's top leadership," the Kubang Kerian member of Parliament told the New Straits Times.
On Sunday, Free Malaysia Today reported Azman as voicing his concern that a Bersatu candidate, if elected, might switch sides, like Azizi did.
"We are focusing our efforts on the Sungai Bakap by-election.
"As such, PN has yet to meet on the Nenggiri by-election," Tuan Ibrahim said.
Razali, meanwhile, said Bersatu should be the one to contest the seat.
"Everyone can issue statements, but it is the PN presidential council that will have the final say and decide on who will contest the state seat," he said.
Razali said Bersatu had submitted the names of three people as potential candidates for the Nenggiri by-election to the top PN leadership.
"This has been the practice by PN parties when choosing candidates," he said.
Meanwhile, Pas information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said Azman's statement was indicative of sentiments on the ground.
"That is the view among Pas members at the grassroots level in Nenggiri. However, I am sure the matter will be discussed by the top leadership," he said.
He challenged Azizi to stand for re-election.
"He possesses strong qualities, and he won the seat (Nenggiri) largely due to his character. Even if he can't contest on PN or Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional's ticket, he can do so as an independent," he said.
The Election Commission recently fixed Aug 3 as the nomination day and Aug 17 as the polling day for the Nenggiri by-election.