Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad urged voters in Hulu Selangor, who will go to the polls this Sunday, to vote for the BN candidate.

He said BN had proven its capability to bring development and change to the area towards improving the people's living standard.

NONE "Our country is peaceful and calm. And although we have achieved a lot of development in the urban areas, much more has to be done in the rural areas," he said at a ceramah (public talk) in Serendah for the BN by-election campaign last night.

Mahathir said the country had progressed from the BN's administration and because its leaders worked hard for the country's development and not for personal interests.

"When we develop the country, everyone will benefit and this only the BN has proven to be able to do."

On PKR candidate in the by-election, Zaid Ibrahim, he said the former minister could be likened to a frog.

Horses, races and politicians

"When he was in Umno, he became a minister, then he joined the opposition and now he's their candidate for the by-election.

"We should not choose and trust people who like to hop from one party to another like that.

"He (Zaid) doesn't gamble but he has horse races. I too have horses but they are not horse races. He admitted having horse races but said he didn't gamble. I don't understand this," Mahathir said.

NONE He described Kamalanathan who was also present at the ceramah as a clean candidate who was proficient in Bahasa Malaysia and understood the aspirations of the constituents.

"You don't have to think long. It's easy, just mark a cross for the BN candidate, because no other alliance is better than  the BN to rule this country," he said, adding that BN would shine again like before the 2008 general election.

Later at a press conference, Mahathir said initially he did not want people to know that he would be campaigning in Hulu Selangor and even told some that he would not, but he came last night anyway as a loyal BN supporter.

Increasing support for BN

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said support for the BN in the by-election for the Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat on Sunday has been increasing.

"I have been in Hulu Selangor for some time. I can see more people supporting the BN. Tonight, more than 500 people came," he said when speaking at the Johor Umno House in Batang Kali last night.

Muhyiddin, however, said he was convinced that towards the last few days of the by-election there would be many negative stories being told and he called on the voters to realise that they were on the right track.

"What is important is to choose the candidate who represents a party with a clear sense of direction," he said.

According to Muhyiddin, after Sept 16, 2008, BN became stronger while the PKR led by Anwar Ibrahim was disintegrating.

"The PKR is like an old building that is breaking down. I feel Anwar will soon be deserted and left alone," he added.

Anwar had boasted that he would form the new federal government as he had promised on Sept 16, 2008, but this never materialised.

- Bernama

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