ID :
70567
Wed, 07/15/2009 - 19:39
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/70567
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PM HAPPY WITH VOTES SWING IN STATE BY-ELECTION
From Mokhtar Hussain
SHARM EL-SHEIKH (Egypt), July 15 (Bernama) -- Najib Razak has expressed
satisfaction with the swing of votes in the just-concluded Manik Urai state
by-election in northeastern state of Kelantan, attributing it to the acceptance
by the people, especially the Malays, of the measures introduced during the 103
days thus far that he has been the prime minister of Malaysia.
Although the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) failed to capture the seat, the
result of the by-election was most encouraging, more so because the by-election
took place in the Malay heartland, he said.
The BN lost by a mere 65 votes when Mohd Fauzi Abdullah retained the seat
for opposition Islamist Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) with 5,348 votes after
beating Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat of the BN who garnered 5,283 votes in the by-election
on Tuesday.
"Hopefully, the people's rising support and trust will continue," said
Najib, who is also BN chairman, when speaking to Malaysian journalists covering
his attendance at the 15th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in this Red
Sea resort city.
He said the by-election results showed that the BN was beginning to regain
the people's confidence and that continuing with the efforts which have been
taken thus far would place the ruling coalition on a stronger footing.
"We cannot (as yet) say that everything (we have done) has passed the test
but I am most satisfied that what we have started over the last 103 days has
received encouraging response from the people," he said.
The prime minister said he had conveyed his appreciation and congratulations
to Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Kelantan BN election director
Mustapa Mohamed and the BN candidate.
"Although we did not win, the result is a huge moral victory for the BN,"
said Najib in reference to the difference between the current 65-vote majority
and the 1,352-vote majority PAS had garnered during the general election last
year.
On the 117 spoilt votes, which exceeded the 65-vote majority, Najib said the
BN had yet to ascertain the reason for such a large number of spoilt votes.
He said the BN would register an objection if it suspected any irregularity
during the by-election. Otherwise, the BN would accept the result and consider
it as a moral victory, he added.
On the issues which could have influenced the voters in Manik Urai, Najib
said: "We have to assess whether they were influenced by national issues or
local issues or if it was a combination of both. But whatever it is, we are
gratified that there is a major swing that has taken place in Manik Urai. And
this is part of the Malay heartland."
-- BERNAMA
SHARM EL-SHEIKH (Egypt), July 15 (Bernama) -- Najib Razak has expressed
satisfaction with the swing of votes in the just-concluded Manik Urai state
by-election in northeastern state of Kelantan, attributing it to the acceptance
by the people, especially the Malays, of the measures introduced during the 103
days thus far that he has been the prime minister of Malaysia.
Although the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) failed to capture the seat, the
result of the by-election was most encouraging, more so because the by-election
took place in the Malay heartland, he said.
The BN lost by a mere 65 votes when Mohd Fauzi Abdullah retained the seat
for opposition Islamist Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) with 5,348 votes after
beating Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat of the BN who garnered 5,283 votes in the by-election
on Tuesday.
"Hopefully, the people's rising support and trust will continue," said
Najib, who is also BN chairman, when speaking to Malaysian journalists covering
his attendance at the 15th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in this Red
Sea resort city.
He said the by-election results showed that the BN was beginning to regain
the people's confidence and that continuing with the efforts which have been
taken thus far would place the ruling coalition on a stronger footing.
"We cannot (as yet) say that everything (we have done) has passed the test
but I am most satisfied that what we have started over the last 103 days has
received encouraging response from the people," he said.
The prime minister said he had conveyed his appreciation and congratulations
to Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Kelantan BN election director
Mustapa Mohamed and the BN candidate.
"Although we did not win, the result is a huge moral victory for the BN,"
said Najib in reference to the difference between the current 65-vote majority
and the 1,352-vote majority PAS had garnered during the general election last
year.
On the 117 spoilt votes, which exceeded the 65-vote majority, Najib said the
BN had yet to ascertain the reason for such a large number of spoilt votes.
He said the BN would register an objection if it suspected any irregularity
during the by-election. Otherwise, the BN would accept the result and consider
it as a moral victory, he added.
On the issues which could have influenced the voters in Manik Urai, Najib
said: "We have to assess whether they were influenced by national issues or
local issues or if it was a combination of both. But whatever it is, we are
gratified that there is a major swing that has taken place in Manik Urai. And
this is part of the Malay heartland."
-- BERNAMA