No Contest in Penanti for UMNO-Barisan Nasional, purportedly to focus on public service and the economy
www.malaysiakini.com
Confirmed! Barisan Nasional not contesting in Penanti
May 18, 2009
Barisan Nasional will not be contesting in the Penanti by-election on May 31, announced Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today. The decision was made following a BN council meeting chaired by Najib this afternoon.
The decision was not a major surprise as Najib had previously indicated that the ruling coalition was not interested in ‘wasting public funds’ by taking part in the by-election. The seat fell vacant following the resignation of the former Penang Deputy Chief Minister (I), PKR’s Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin. PKR has already named Mansor Othman as its candidate. Several independents are expected to contest for the seat. Nomination day is on May 23.
‘Our focus is on public service’
Talking to reporters after a two-hour meeting, Najib said the Penanti seat did not become vacant as necessitated by law but was instead due to PKR wanting to resolve its internal problems. The vacancy is also because of a political game by opposition, he added. “BN’s focus is on public service and the national economy. Thus, we decided not to contest,” he said.
When asked if the ‘no-contest’ decision was akin to betraying the voters, Najib said: “We will still continue to serve the constituents of Penanti and Permatang Pauh through our own channels”. Penanti is a state seat under the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat held by PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Talking to reporters after a two-hour meeting, Najib said the Penanti seat did not become vacant as necessitated by law but was instead due to PKR wanting to resolve its internal problems. The vacancy is also because of a political game by opposition, he added. “BN’s focus is on public service and the national economy. Thus, we decided not to contest,” he said.
When asked if the ‘no-contest’ decision was akin to betraying the voters, Najib said: “We will still continue to serve the constituents of Penanti and Permatang Pauh through our own channels”.
Penanti is a state seat under the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat held by PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Well he did right going by his own interest of those of BN. So let’s give credit for his foresight. BN would have lost.
Mr Bean - May 18, 2009 at 8:34 pm
UMNO-Barisan Nasional will not contest by-elections because they know that given the mood of Malaysians after Perak they cannot win. By trying to sound responsible, they are actually in a state of denial. Given this UMNO-Barisan Nasional attitude, snap election in Perak is only a very remote possibility. –Din Merican
dinobeano - May 18, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Let us also credit him for his wisdom. Had he decided to field a candidate he would have been seen as a stooge for Mahathir – perhaps even for forces within his own party aligned with Mahathir.
Mr Bean - May 18, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Najib is being modest for a reason. He knows it’s a forgone conclusion but will not admit it openly. Imagine him saying that caring for the rakyat’s welfare is more important than vying for a state seat in a by-election. He’s being realistic but in a stupid way. He should have said that the odds are stacked against BN winning the Penanti seat than about the people’s well being when that’s the last thing on his mind.
Tok Cik - May 18, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Well if he was ‘smart’ he should have fielded a candidate of octokutty’s choice, and let Mukhriz be the their election commisar.
That way, he could have curbed the meddling by many appendages. But noo… he needs his teat to suckle, doesn’t he?
Call it anyway you wish, it’s denial and cowardice!
That’s the way with big, bad bullies with lil’dicks.
Menyalak-er - May 18, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Umno cannot afford another humiliation thus no contest at Penanti is a good move. Umno knows the fact majority of the rakyat do not support it.
slyderrose - May 18, 2009 at 9:12 pm
“BN’s focus is on public service and the national economy. Thus, we decided not to contest,” Najib
Well said. Except that nobody buys into his argument not to hold by-elections.
Now that the ADUN for Penanti has resigned who then is the ADUN for the constituency of Penanti? Aren’t all ADUNs elected by the electorate – and not appointed by the Party?
Mr Bean - May 18, 2009 at 9:26 pm
What about independent candidates? Don’t they want to see by-elections held?
Mr Bean - May 18, 2009 at 9:30 pm
The independent candidate is Altan… oops, Aminah Abdullah mah, Bean. There are certain allergies that the aforesaid party must not not handle, touch or be seen with, otherwise they end up with severe outbreak of hives.
Menyalak-er - May 18, 2009 at 9:41 pm
BN decision not to contest is an admission of guilt of what it did in Perak.
They knew BN has angered not only Perakians but the Rakyat Malaysia.
They are scared to face Rakyat now and hoping in next 3-4 years the Rakyat will forget and forgive their mischiefs.
No way !
Rakyat - May 18, 2009 at 10:40 pm
No cure for herpes. Sorry.
Mr Bean - May 19, 2009 at 1:23 am
Najib perpetuates aristocratic arrogance hyping the country up to a purposeless pitch. Traits that are picked up while you’re in UMNO
Anwar on the other hand is viewed differently primarily due to the head first plunged from grace . A nasty fall in which he sustained humiliating mental bruises . Amid effects of a moral concussion that oozed out humility in once an egoistic stead .
Tragic circumstances almost always brings out the best in a person.
Simple reasons why i support Anwar Ibrahim.
Danildaud - May 19, 2009 at 2:36 am
Altantuya,
May you rest in peace , the Rayat of Malaysia will fight for you
Amin..
tourman53 - May 19, 2009 at 6:07 am
Loser.
imwatchinu - May 19, 2009 at 8:03 am
Let’s look at it this way. It’s good that Najib has not been charged for the conspiracy to murder when Abdullah Badawi was PM. Had he been charged then and then acquitted, the rule against double jeopardy would mean that he cannot again be charged for the same crime.
As there is no statute of limitation in Malaysia for crimes committed, he can be charged at any time.
Mr Bean - May 19, 2009 at 8:18 am
Just like a guilty coward that he was when he ran away through the backdoor when Altantuya’s father was waiting to meet him, this piece of shit is running away from the fight he KNOWS he will lose. I just don’t understand why we would want to give him credit for the ‘wise decision’ not to contest – he messed up real good when he used the many millions of our money to pay for the katak’s, and even ‘that person’ as heavily rumoured. No sirrie, I think he is in deep poo because of his stupidity and arrogance.
barry - May 19, 2009 at 9:36 am
At very least he makes sense. Which is what is completely lacking from all his ministers! Gee it got to be heart breaking for Najib when those surrounding him look like monkeys and those in the opposition looks like scientists. Maybe he needs a good head hunter. Like Mr. Bean to start off with. No insults Mr. Bean, I think you are great! Cheers
james chua - May 19, 2009 at 9:51 am
test
rafraf - May 19, 2009 at 4:09 pm
The question now, what now for Anwar?
Missing his chance to politicking? Bravo Najib, let Anwar play alone.
Najib has to do his work first before leaving to the people to decide. to be fair to Najib. He has bigger task, mind you.
Anwar is trying to get people to decide first without giving Najib his chance to prove his worth.
So what is next from Anwar? Will Najib play Anwar’s next game?
think hard Anwar!! very hard
mickey - May 19, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Najis oh Najis, do you still remember Altantuya? Well, we still do, and cannot forget about her, how she was shot in the head twice and blown up using C4. Yeah right, mickey boy, Najis has more important things to do, like running away from the many questions people here and around the world are asking about how he was involved in all that blood….
barry - May 19, 2009 at 5:32 pm
Never underestimate Najib and the BN goons. The virtual Sept.16th PR government mishaps and the 3 PR ‘frog’ jumping fiasco in Perak is a clear manifestation of BN maturity in politics.
________
ariffdanial, you surprise me. We never underestimate anyone, but I do not think that what happened in Perak is ” a clear manifestation of BN maturity in politics”. It is gutter politics and money. We do not have that kind of money to throw around. Three froggies are a disappointment no doubt, but most of our ADUNs and MPs are still with us in Pakatan Rakyat. —Din Merican
ariffdanial - May 19, 2009 at 8:07 pm
yes Barry,
please tell me how he was involved. You see, I’m just a boy. so somebody has to clearly show how exactly, beyond doubt, that he is involved.
If he did, then I’m sure Pak Lah with insistence from KJ, will kick Najib for good, since Pak Lah was in power (no.1) at that time, for quite some time in fact. ( rewind – no.1 DrM kicked no.2 Anwar )
Then he, Pak Lah can still be in power today, and ambitious KJ will shoot to stardom and become the youngest PM!
That is if you believe what RPK said based on his reliable informer whom allegedly passed the INFO to Pak Lah.
Facts first old man!
mickey - May 19, 2009 at 8:25 pm
mickey boy,
If somebody stands infront of a crowd, let alone an international crowd, and swears that I screwed and murdered a woman, I would die to defend my honour and that of my family’s. No amount of swearing upon the Quran or whatever holy books, and ‘I promise you I did not do it’ will do. Just what has this man got to hide, you must ask, unless you are that stupid to believe that he is clean.
barry - May 20, 2009 at 9:46 am
Appreciate your response. You surprise me too !!! Still can’t read my message. Can’t blame you. You are no ‘politician’.
The fact that these 3 froggies made a u-turn reflect PR still lacking political maturity in playing the game. PR could have anticipated the problems. It was purely lack of discipline . ‘Lalai ‘ and take things for granted.
The fiasco could have been avoided if PR machinery could have put more ‘passion’ towards their objectives.. Reasons such as lalai and blind assumption cannot be accepted. The rakyat is still waiting for the ‘promises’ to be delivered.
ariffdanial - May 20, 2009 at 10:17 am