The BN has plenty of "ammo" in facing Pakatan Rakyat in the upcoming Hulu Selangor by-election, said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

"During campaigning, all kinds of things wil happen but we have plenty of material in our arsenal now which we can use in the by-election," he told reporters.  

The Hulu Selangor seat fell vacant following the death of its member of parliament Dr Zainal Abidin Ahmad of PKR yesterday.

Zainal, 71, who was a former menteri besar of Selangor when he was in the BN and joined PKR in 2005, defeated the BN's G Palanivel by a slim majority of 198 votes in the last general election in 2008.

Palanivel, who is MIC deputy chairman, was also women, family and community development deputy minister then.

Muhyiddin, who is also BN deputy chairman, said the people in Selangor had become fed up of the Pakatan government in the state.  

"I am hearing many grouses about the Pakatan government, the people (in Selangor) are regretting voting in the Pakatan to be the government in the state (in the last election) and have come to realise that only the BN can deliver the goods.

"However, we (BN) must not be complacent or over confident of our chances," he said.

Will Umno contest seat?

As to the candidate, Muhyiddin said the person must be well-liked by the people and able to discharge his duties as a BN elected representative towards the betterment of the people in Hulu Selangor.  

"We will put the best person possible to contest the seat. At the moment, the candidate who will represent the BN will be from MIC," he said.

Asked if Umno would be contesting the seat, Muhyiddin said at the moment, he did not know what was the actual decision taken concerning the matter.

"Although there are views as such (for BN to be represented by Umno), the final decision will be made at the very top level... we will just have to wait," he said.

Muhyiddin also extended his condolences to Zainal Abidin's family.

The Election Commission will meet next Friday to decide on the date for the by-election.

- Bernama