Bagan Pinang By-Election: Muhyiddin tells coalition members to close ranks

(NST) – Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has urged Barisan Nasional component parties to settle their internal differences for the Bagan Pinang by-election.

The Umno deputy president said the BN leadership saw as pressing the need for all component parties to focus on their strengths.

He said closing ranks would not only ensure better campaigning for the by-election, but also was important for the ruling coalition's future.

"Put your best foot forward and close ranks to show that BN is still an able political entity with integrity.

"As the by-election date draws closer, we must portray our strengths, even though we admit to having weaknesses," he said at his Hari Raya open house here yesterday.

Asked if the much-publicised problems in BN component parties would affect the Oct 11 by-election outcome, Muhyiddin said there would be a direct or indirect impact on BN's campaign machinery.

"We would not want the problems, which happens not only in the BN, but also among the opposition component parties, to worsen," he said.

The MCA crisis intensified after party deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek was sacked last month over his 2007 sex scandal, prompting his supporters to launch a signature campaign to call for an extraordinary general meeting.

However, his penalty was reduced to a four-year membership suspension on Saturday.

The MIC is also not spared of problems. It came under fire when former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad described MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu as a liability for BN.

Samy Vellu refused to bow to pressure and said he would stick to his succession plan and step down in 2012.

Muhyiddin said the BN candidate in Bagan Pinang had to have ability and integrity, and be respected and accepted by voters.

He said the candidate would be announced on Sept 29.