Both BN and Pakatan ready for by-election

Pakatan Rakyat today agreed that PAS should contest in Kota Siputeh in the eventuality of a by-election there.

PKR advisor Anwar Ibrahim said the decision was unanimously agreed upon at a meeting attended by senior leaders of the opposition parties at Parliament House.

"We discussed the matter and PAS had stated that it was ready to contest the seat," he told reporters after the meeting.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak also said that Barisan Nasional too was ready to contest in the Kota Siputeh state by-election if the court rejected its appeal.

Najib, who is also BN chairperson, said the BN would respect the court's decision and work according to the system.

"If we can appeal, we will appeal. Whatever the court decides, we have to abide," he said.

Yesterday, the High Court (Appellate and Special Powers) declared the Kota Siputeh state seat in Kedah vacant, saying that Abu Hassan Sarif was no longer the Barisan Nasional assemblyperson after he failed to attend two consecutive meetings of the state legislative assembly without leave, and violated the state constitution.

Justice Alizatul Khair Osman Khairuddin also ordered the Election Commission (EC) to hold a by-election in Kota Siputeh.

Abu Hassan defeated a PAS candidate in the 2008 general election.