Najib: We know why BN lost

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he knew what were the factors that led to Barisan Nasional’s loss in the Permatang Pasir by-election but added that Barisan would study the flaws to ensure it was successful in the future.

The Umno president would not elaborate on what the factors were. For result and news about N11 by election click here.

“In terms of majority of votes, we have reduced it,” he told reporters when asked to comment on Barisan’s defeat yesterday.

He was speaking to reporters after the national Women’s Day celebration at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here.

Najib, who is also Barisan chairman and Prime Minister, said the ruling coalition needed to analyse the factors so the party could overcome its weaknesses.

Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Barisan would work hard to get closer to the people to win their support.

He said every by-election gave Barisan an insight into the people’s mind and that would allow the coalition to understand them better.

“I believe if we work harder under the leadership of Datuk Seri Najib, his policies and initiatives will slowly sink into the mind of Malaysians,” Muhyiddin said at the Barisan campaign centre in Bukit Merah, Permatang Pasir last night.

Accepting Barisan’s sixth by-election defeat since the March 2008 general election, Muhyiddin said the results showed that the people were not just interested in development.

Asked to comment on the results when compared with the narrow loss in Manek Urai, Muhyiddin said Permatang Pasir was PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s area and a PAS stronghold.

He said Barisan’s choice of candidate could have been a factor in the defeat as he was character-assassinated by the Opposition.

“However, towards the end, there was support for Rohaizat or else the result would have been worse,” he said.

Rohaizat Othman, meanwhile, said he accepted the voters’ decision, saying it was part of a democracy.

“I would like to thank my supporters and family for being with me through my ups and downs,” he said. (TheStar)