Najib’s trial by fire begins with by-elections

(The Straits Times) TAIPING, March 30 – Campaigning for three by-elections in Malaysia kicked off simultaneously yesterday, with the battles widely seen as the first test of leadership for new Umno president Najib Razak.

Thousands of political supporters shouted slogans, banged drums and waved party flags at three nomination centres as candidates filed nomination papers.

The unprecedented three by-elections are being held in Perak, Kedah and Sarawak, with polling day on April 7.

The overall campaign by the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition is led by Datuk Seri Najib’s new deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin. Tan Sri Muhyiddin was at the nomination centre for Bukit Gantang in Perak yesterday.

He told reporters: “All by-elections are important, especially one that is done after the process of transition of leadership…we want to tell the people this is a team that means business.”

Candidates also filed papers at nomination centres in Bukit Selambau, Kedah, and in Batang Ai in Sarawak.

Polls are being held in Perak and Sarawak following the deaths of their representatives. In Kedah, the by-election came about after its assemblyman quit following accusations of bigamy and claims his life was threatened.

The contests will test how well Najib has cobbled together his four-day-old team for the by-elections, and whether the government has managed to claw back public support.

He is also battling accusations that he was involved in the murder of Mongolian interpreter Altantuya Shaariibuu, a charge he has repeatedly denied. Posters showing him holding a bazooka aimed at Altantuya were pasted on lamp-posts in Perak as 10,000 opposition supporters converged in Taiping yesterday.

Najib was officially declared the new Umno president on Thursday after his predecessor Abdullah Badawi was forced to retire by his party. Najib is expected to be sworn in as Malaysia’s sixth premier on Friday.

Muhyiddin and the other top Umno leaders were voted in by the party in triennial elections last Thursday.

Observers say BN is expected to retain the state constituency in Sarawak, a party stronghold. The contest is a straight fight between BN and a candidate representing the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance.

In Kedah, a record 15 candidates are vying for election, with observers saying PR or an independent may win the seat which was held by the opposition. BN can also expect a tough fight in Perak. The Perak state assembly last month fell to BN, after three PR assemblymen defected.

PR is betting that the people of Perak are still angry with the power grab and are fielding their recently ousted menteri besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin in the by-election. He faces a little known BN politician and an unknown independent.

Datuk Seri Nizar is an assemblyman in the state and is allowed to contest the Bukit Gantang constituency, which is a Parliament seat.

“I’m very confident of winning …We are going to say bye bye to injustice,” Nizar said.

Muhyiddin’s rejoinder: “We know they will use the sympathy tactic, that they are the victims. We are the legitimate government as endorsed by the state Sultan.”