"I don't know yet (whether to contest). We will look first, but I don't rule out any possibility," he told Bernama.
However, the Prime Minister said he would meet Umno Supreme Council (MT) and Barisan Nasional (BN) Supreme Council at the end of the month to discuss the matter.
Yesterday, Datuk Najib accused the opposition of “playing political games” by deliberately forcing a by-election.
He also called it a wasteful process, saying people were tired of the slew of by-elections and the focus should be on fixing the economy.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim later called upon BN not to field a candidate against PKR and give the opposition party a walkover instead.
The Election Commission in the meantime said it will have to establish if the PKR-held Penang state seat is vacant after incumbent Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin sent a resignation letter on Thursday.
Najib: BN may not contest Penanti by-election
PEKAN, April 18 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak does not rule out the possibility that the Barisan Nasional (BN) will not contest the by-election for the Penanti State constituency in Penang.
He said here today the BN must first consider whether the by-election would benefit the people or otherwise.
"Don't know yet (whether we opt out or not). We will look first, but I don't rule out any possibility," he told reporters after attending the celebration at the Pekan Parliamentary level in conjunction with his appointment as Prime Minister.
In this context, Najib said he would hold a meeting with the Umno Supreme Council (MT) and meet with the presidents of the BN component parties to discuss the matter.
"I will raise the matter at the next Umno MT meeting. If I don't have the time, I will bring it up to the Political Bureau, and discuss with the BN component party presidents," he said.
Najib said the BN would reach a consensus on the by-election.
"That's why we have to reach a consensus. In this matter, it's clearly their (opposition's) political game and we could see their objective.
"This is not because of the requirement of the Federal Constitution, if it is because of the Federal Constitution, we will certainly respect it," he said.
On Thursday, former Penang Deputy Chief Minister I, Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, announced his resignation as the State Assemblyman for Penanti.
Mohammad Fairus, 32, who is being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, said the decision was taken to enable him to clear his name from all the allegations besides pursuing further studies.-- BERNAMA
8 comments:
Actually it will make no difference whether BN loses or wins if it were to contest in the impending by-election in Penanti because either way, Pakatan Rakyat will still be governing the state.
So the best way is a no contest - cuz it will save money, time & energy.
Anyway, it makes no sense fighting PR in its own backyard.
BN cant afford another by-election because it going to lose.
I think BN should not contest because it will surely be defeated in Penanti. So why waste valuable resources? It should instead focus on the economy.
So what if PKR wins? It is after all in a PR state. Doesnt change the equation.
BN should ignore the Penanti by-election and instead gather its strength and plan a long term strategy for the next general election.
After all, its only a state seat and still status quo in Penang. Bn still has a majority in parliament.
Saya berpendapat BN perlu tegas. Jangan terperangkap dengan permainan Pakatan yang tiada lagi isu untuk dipermainkan.
Kita tidak perlu layan dan ikut rentak permainan politik si dia yang hanya mempunyai satu matlamat ia itu untuk menjadi Perdana Menteri Malaysia.
I think from what I've read in the papers, the consensus among the BN component parties is to give the penanti by-election a miss.
Except for Samy Vellu, who thinks otherwise because BN has its "image & integrity" to maintain, the majority isnt keen.
Now dont't anyone call me a BN supporter. I am not but I do feel what Najib says makes sense.
Call him a coward if you like or whatever lah.
But in this instance there is no other option for the BN but to skip the by-election, knowing very well what the outcome is going to be.
Another defeat? I dont think Najib can take it.
I agree with the majority here; that another by-election is sheer waste of money & time.
Matlamat anwar bukan lagi nak jadi PM. Tak salah ahli politik cita2 nak jadi PM. Dia cuma nak selamatkan punai dia yg tersalah letak di punggung Saiful.
Please read here on what happened in Perak! Sila baca di sini mengenai situasi di Perak!
http://parpukari.blogspot.com/2009/04/perak-truth.html
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