Penanti polls will ‘mark a turning point for BN’

(NST) – Barisan Nasional component parties in Permatang Pauh have vowed to make the Penanti by-election a turning point to reclaim the upper hand over Pakatan Rakyat if the coalition fields a candidate.

Its chairman, Datuk Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid, said Parti Keadilan Rakyat must be stopped from taking advantage of by-elections to divert the people's attention from its internal shortcomings.

However, he added that the Permatang Pauh BN component parties had agreed they would abide by any decision taken by the party leadership on the by-election.

Jalil said the Penanti by-election would be the best platform to send a signal to PKR and Pakatan Rakyat that by-elections would not be a walkover for them. Present were MCA, Gerakan, MIC and PPP Permatang Pauh divisional heads.

Jalil said the Umno division had conducted a random survey of 300 local respondents and 80 per cent felt that BN should contest the by-election.

"Our BN component leaders are gathering feedback from their members and grassroots and we will take their views into consideration."