We’ll work hard to win by-elections: PM

(TheStar) PUTRAJAYA: Barisan Nasional will not regard the upcoming Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau by-elections as a “breeze” and will work hard to ensure victory, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

The Prime Minister said that all component parties will have to lend their support and work together to win over voters, especially since both seats were won by the opposition in the general election last March.

“We cannot assume that it will be easy for us. Not only do we have to work hard, we have to work closely together to win the by-elections.

“Barisan and Umno will have to prepare for the by-elections now, while waiting for the Election Commission to fix the dates for the two by-elections,” he told reporters after opening the “Public Sector Young Executive Conference” here Tuesday.

The Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat in Perak fell vacant when its MP Roslan Shaharom of PAS died of a heart attack on Monday.

The Bukit Selambau state seat in Kedah is now empty following Pakatan Rakyat state executive councillor V. Arumugam’s resignation amidst allegations linking him to a “marriage scandal.”

Abdullah, who is also Barisan chairman, said he would be discussing the approach to be taken with his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, other Umno leaders and the party’s management committee.

“We do not necessarily have to use the same approach in all by-elections. We will suit it according to our need, the current situation, our intention and goal,” he added.

To a question, the Prime Minister said the Bukit Gantang by-election should not be regarded as a referendum and Barisan would face it like it faces any other by-election.

“Whatever issues that are likely to arise, we will face it and address it. What is important to us is that we face Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau by-elections fully prepared,” he said.

When asked if Barisan would continue to get Pakatan Rakyat MPs and assemblymen to defect, Abdullah denied the coalition worked to woo wakil rakyat (people’s representatives) from across the political divide to join it.

“We did not pull them (Opposition representatives) to come to us, but they came and we accepted them,” he said.

On allegations by Arumugam that he was threatened and was offered money to leave the Pakatan Rakyat fold, Abdullah said those were “mere allegations.”