Several names being mulled for Pengkalan Kubor polls

(The Star) – The Kelantan Umno division liaison committee is considering several names to be submitted for the up-coming Pengkalan Kubor by-election.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the names would be finalised within the next two days and then submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for approval.

“I will announce the candidate’s name on Wednesday in Tumpat, Kelantan,” he said in a press conference at the opening of the Pagoh Umno division meeting here yesterday.

Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president, said the party would select a home-grown candidate after taking into account the views and sentiments of voters and grassroots leaders.

“We are experienced enough to know which strategy to execute no matter who the Opposition fields for the by-election, whether from PKR or PAS,” he said.

He hoped voters would consider the ongoing Pakatan Rakyat crisis in Selangor and the Opposition’s integrity before making a decision.

The by-election was triggered by the death of Barisan Nasional assemblyman Datuk Noor Zahidi Omar from liver cancer.

The Election Commission has set Sept 13 for nominations and Sept 25 as polling day.

On a separate matter, Muhyiddin said state leaders should respect the Inspector-General of Police’s decision in the Penang Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) issue.

“It is the prerogative of the police to take the appropriate action if a situation poses a threat to public safety,” he said, adding that the Government had not issued any instructions or been involved in the matter.

On Aug 31, police detained 156 PPS members under Section 43 of the Societies Act after they took part in the Merdeka Day state-level procession in Penang. They were all released on bail by Sept 1.

The police said the PPS was illegal entity since it was not registered with the Registrar of Societies.