JASIN: Barisan Nasional is prepared for the Merlimau and Kerdau by-elections which will be held simultaneously on March 6.
Its chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Barisan’s comprehensive machinery would not have a problem coping with the simultaneous by-elections.
“We have no problems. We have gone through this before in Sabah and Kelantan,” he told reporters after meeting state Barisan election machinery personnel here yesterday.
The last double by-election was in Galas, Kelantan and Batu Sapi in Sabah last November.
Najib said Barisan was still mulling over the choice of its candidates for Merlimau and Kerdau, adding that a decision had almost been reached and would be announced on Tuesday for Kerdau and on Wednesday for Merlimau.
One voice: Najib joining in the 1Malaysia chorus with some 3,000 children and teachers at SJK(C) Merlimau during his walkabout yesterday. Standing next to the Barisan chief are MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.In MUAR, Barisan deputy chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said PAS was only seeking sympathy votes by admitting defeat even before nomination day.
“I would tell the voters to give them zero votes,” he said after receiving aid from 27 companies for flood victims in Pagoh.
On Barisan’s candidates for the two by-elections, Muhyiddin said they were hardworking, committed to helping the people and had been thoroughly scrutinised by the relevant parties.
Muhyiddin said Barisan was confident of winning the two seats but had directed its machinery to go all out to ensure bigger majorities.
In ALOR SETAR, PAS vice-president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the party’s candidates for the two by-elections would be announced on Wednesday.
Tuan Ibrahim told reporters that the party would be ready for the by-elections despite the “short notice”.
The Kerdau by-election follows the death of Barisan assemblyman Zaharuddin Abu Kassim on Feb 12 of a heart attack while the Merlimau seat fell vacant with the death of Barisan assemblyman Datuk Mohamad Hidhir Abu Hassan, also of a heart attack, on Jan 20.