TG PIAI POLLS | Pakatan Harapan has a chance to win the Tanjung Piai parliamentary by-election, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

However, he said Harapan leaders, including he himself, needed to work hard and go to the ground to campaign.

"I hope the people there (Tanjung Piai) are aware that a Harapan win means that promises can be fulfilled because we are the government at the Johor and federal levels,” he said after chairing the Harapan presidential council meeting here tonight.

"But even if BN or MCA win, they cannot do anything because it could not change the Johor and central governments. This is what we hope voters will consider and give their votes to Harapan,” said Dr Mahathir, who is Harapan chairperson.

Asked whether the issue of oil palm price played up by BN candidate Wee Jeck Seng, who claimed that Harapan candidate Karmaine Sardini did not understand the difficulties of smallholders, would affect Harapan’s chances of winning, Dr Mahathir said it would not have an effect.

"If they don't understand what they are talking about, they may not understand then. The voters may not understand them, so I think it is not affected," he said.

The Nov 16 by-election was called following the death of incumbent MP Dr Md Farid Md Rafik, 42, of Harapan on Sept 21.

Harapan and BN are involved in a six-cornered fight in the by-election.

- Bernama