Bukit Gantang a referendum on Najib too, says Perak DAP
By Shannon Teoh (The Malaysian Insider)
KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 — On the back of Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin’s surprise candidacy for the Bukit Gantang by-elections, Perak DAP is calling it a referendum not just on the rightful government of Perak, but the impending premiership of Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
However, when Bukit Gantang MP Roslan Shaharum passed away on Feb 9, the inevitable by-election was touted by Pakatan Rakyat as a referendum on who was the legitimate government in the state.
While still daring Mentri Besar Datuk Zambry Abd Kadir to contest in the April 7 by-elections against Nizar so it could be established who the people wanted as their MB, Ipoh Barat MP M Kula Segaran said that as Bukit Gantang is made up of rural folk, it would be a test to see if Najib still held the confidence of the traditional Barisan Nasional supporter.
“It will be a referendum on whether they want him as prime minister since he was the black hand behind the takeover,” he told reporters in Parliament.
Perak DAP chief Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham agreed, adding that Najib had removed Nizar, whom he claimed “has been the best MB in Perak’s history.”
“The people can judge with their votes how well PR has done in the 10 months it was in charge,” he said.
