Barisan will not contest in Penanti: Najib

(The Star) – The Barisan Nasional has decided not to contest the May 31 by-election in Penanti, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced on Monday.

“We feel it is an unnecessary by-election; we will not join in the Opposition’s political games,” said Najib, also the coalition chairman, after a Barisan supreme council meeting.

The Penanti state seat fell vacant on April 17 following the resignation of its PKR assemblyman, Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin. The Election Commission has set May 23 for nominations.

Pakatan will be fielding former Penang PKR chairman Dr Mansor Othman in the contest.