Malaysian Insider
BUTTERWORTH, May 8 — Every member of the Barisan Nasional (BN) and the machinery for the Sibu parliamentary by-election must be committed and inspired to ensure victory for the BN on polling day on May 16, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The Prime Minister said every member must focus on efforts to mobilise the machinery to reply to all issues and resolve the problems of the local community.
“We need not talk about opportunities. Now, we have to talk about election work, we must ensure it is progressing smoothly, effectively and that all members are committed,” he told reporters, here today.
Earlier, Najib opened the Malay Economic Convention 2010, at the Seberang Jaya, here.
“We have a good candidate and a convincing record as well as a plan for the future development of Sibu,” he said.
The Sibu Parliamentary by-election is being held following the death of the incumbent representative, Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew, who was also the Deputy Transport Minister, on April 9.
In the 2008 general election, Robert Lau retained the seat with a majority of 3,549 votes, beating the Sarawak DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng and Lim Chun Chuang from the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
The by-election on May 16 will be a three-cornered fight between BN candidate Robert Lau Hui Yew, Wong and Independent candidate Narawi Haron.
In another development, Najib said he was leaving it to the authorities to investigate the statement by Penang Oppposition Leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim who was alleged to have uttered seditious words at the Penang State Legislative Assembly sitting two days ago.
“He had certainly made the statement and had regretted making it and had already retracted it (the statement),” he said.
Azhar was referred to the Penang State Assembly’s Rights and Privileges Committee for allegedly violating the House regulations when he uttered the words which were described as seditious. — Bernama