Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi down played today the significance of the Bukit Gantang by-election in Perak, saying it has nothing to do with the recent takeover of the state government by Barisan Nasional (BN) through defections.
Abdullah also sidestepped questions on whether the coalition was preparing to accept more defections from the federal opposition Pakatan Rakyat.
“We didn’t plan, they came so we welcome them,” said Abdullah.
The BN successfully dodged the prospect of facing a statewide election after convincing the Sultan of Perak that it had enough support in the state assembly to form the new government.
“No, you can’t say that, it has nothing to do with it, a by-election has to be called so we will face the election,” said Abdullah when asked to comment on suggestions that the Bukit Gantang by-election at the Parliamentary constituency in Perak was held up by many people as a referendum on BN’s takeover of the state government.
“Whatever issues that are raised in the by-election, we will face them and will have to answer, most importantly we will face it with utmost preparation,” he added.
Abdullah admitted, however, that the by-elections in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau, Kedah would not be easy for BN.
“We have to be prepared from now, we have to work hard to win the seats. We cannot take this as an easy by-election for us,” Abdullah told reporters.
Yesterday Pas’s Roslan Shaharum died of a heart attack, which paved the way for a by-election to be called for the Parliamentary constituency in northern Perak.
In Kedah, Bukit Selambau state rep V Arumugam tendered his resignation as executive councillor and lawmaker yesterday.
The Bukit Gantang by-election is being seen by many commentators as a referendum on BN’s successful takeover of the Perak government, leading to the state DAP endorsing the Pakatan Rakyat Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin’s candidacy for the seat.
The party also challenged the BN to field newly appointed Menteri Besar Datuk Zambry Kadir for the by-election. -- TMI
Abdullah also sidestepped questions on whether the coalition was preparing to accept more defections from the federal opposition Pakatan Rakyat.“We didn’t plan, they came so we welcome them,” said Abdullah.
The BN successfully dodged the prospect of facing a statewide election after convincing the Sultan of Perak that it had enough support in the state assembly to form the new government.
“No, you can’t say that, it has nothing to do with it, a by-election has to be called so we will face the election,” said Abdullah when asked to comment on suggestions that the Bukit Gantang by-election at the Parliamentary constituency in Perak was held up by many people as a referendum on BN’s takeover of the state government.
“Whatever issues that are raised in the by-election, we will face them and will have to answer, most importantly we will face it with utmost preparation,” he added.
Abdullah admitted, however, that the by-elections in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau, Kedah would not be easy for BN.
“We have to be prepared from now, we have to work hard to win the seats. We cannot take this as an easy by-election for us,” Abdullah told reporters.
Yesterday Pas’s Roslan Shaharum died of a heart attack, which paved the way for a by-election to be called for the Parliamentary constituency in northern Perak.In Kedah, Bukit Selambau state rep V Arumugam tendered his resignation as executive councillor and lawmaker yesterday.
The Bukit Gantang by-election is being seen by many commentators as a referendum on BN’s successful takeover of the Perak government, leading to the state DAP endorsing the Pakatan Rakyat Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin’s candidacy for the seat.
The party also challenged the BN to field newly appointed Menteri Besar Datuk Zambry Kadir for the by-election. -- TMI
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