The BN supreme council, he said, had unanimously decided on skipping this by-election as the coalition believed the vacancy “is not provided for in the Constitution” and the situation was being used by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) to resolve its internal problems.
Najib, who is also Umno president, was speaking at a press conference, after chairing his first BN supreme council meeting since taking office on 3 April. The meeting at Menara Datuk Onn in Kuala Lumpur lasted more than two hours. Najib said the matter had been discussed 'at length' and all the BN component parties had agreed on the decision.
"The Supreme Council made the decision as the seat fell vacant not because it was due to a provision in the constitution, that is, the vacancy was because Parti Keadilan (Rakyat) wants to resolve its internal problems. ... it is also a political ploy by the opposition."
“Because the BN gives priority to serving (the needs of) the people and on efforts to revive the country's economy, we have decided not to field a candidate to contest the Penanti by-election," he announced.
The BN decision today was unanimous although earlier there were BN component parties which had expressed differing opinions on the matter, he said. "We decided through consensus...we don't want to dance according to the tune of others, because we know that this is a political game," Najib said.
Asked whether BN's non-contesting was a sign that it feared being defeated, Najib said it was untrue as BN would still have to face voters in Penanti come the next general election. He also said this was not the first time BN was not contesting a by-election. In 1975, it did not put up a candiate for the Menglembu by-election.
On the reaction of traditional BN supporters in the constituency, the Prime Minister said, "We will still serve the voters in Penanti and Permatang Pauh according to our channels. I know they (BN voters) understand. The interest of the party as a whole is greater," he said.
Asked if the BN would boycott the by-election, he said: "No. It's just that we are not fielding a candidate in Penanti."
The Penanti by-election was called following the resignation of PKR assemblyman and former Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, 33, who resigned on 16 April. Two day after, Najib had said there was a possibility of BN not contesting the by-election, stating it was a political ploy by the opposition and “a sheer waste of public funds”.
The BN chairman then said he would get the consensus of the BN component parties on the matter before any decision was made. Fairus, citing his resignation as “in the interest of the party”, had also said he wanted to pursue further studies. He had stepped down from his Deputy Chief Minister post on 8 April following allegations of non-performance in public office as well as corruption claims.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had investigated and cleared him of any alleged links to illegal quarrying activities.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) has sold four nomination forms for the Penanti by-election, said its director, Morat Pora. "The forms are sold for RM20 each. However, we don't know who these forms are for because anyone can buy them," he told Bernama here today. He said one of the forms was bought by Aminah Abdullah, who had declared that she would contest in the by-election.
He was unsure if PKR candidate, Dr Mansor Othman, was among those who had bought the forms. Nomination is this Saturday with polling on May 31.— BERNAMA
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