Najib Abdul Razak today dismissed claims that the BN was involved in buying votes to win the Hulu Selangor by-election yesterday.

NONE The prime minister said various projects announced in Hulu Selangor recently were to resolve long-standing problems faced by the residents.

"We didn't buy votes but we solve people's problems. Those are genuine problems which have not been addressed for some time. They are really genuine.

"It's not that we went around saying 'look, we give you this, we give you that', no," he told reporters after opening the Malaysia Green Forum 2010 here.

Present were former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is Landskap Malaysia's advisor, and his wife, Jeanne Abdullah, who is chairman of Landskap Malaysia.

'It's not public money'

Najib was asked to comment on the opposition's claim that the BN had spent RM167 million on projects to win votes in Hulu Selangor.

NONE In Sunday's by-election, the BN's P Kamalanathan ( right, middle ) beat PKR's Zaid Ibrahim with a 1,725-vote majority, polling 24,997 votes against Zaid's 23,272 votes.

The BN chairperson said projects such as the newly-built elevated interchange near Sungai Buaya were meant to solve the problems of the people of that constituency.

"It was on the basis that people wanted these projects, just like the interchange (near Sungai Buaya). The interchange was done by PLUS (Plus Expressways Bhd). It's not public money.

"It's PLUS and the interchange will help people in that area because it can cut down the travelling time by 60 to 90 minutes. So we are adressing the genuine needs of the people. We are not buying votes," he said.

Najib said of the opposition: "They should also ask themselves what they have done with the state government’s resources.

"Haven’t they been approving all kind of things for the people during elections?

"They have been doing that. So don’t point the finger at the Barisan Nasional. Please (they should) look at themselves," he said.

NONE Najib also expressed satisfaction that the BN was able to capture a seat in a state which was considered a handicap for the party.

BN 'handicapped' in opposition state

"I am happy with the result because it shows that the trend is definitely moving towards the Barisan Nasional. It is a good victory because we were fighting a battle in a state controlled by the opposition," he said.

"We were handicapped in that sense. However the victory is a good victory because we can build on this victory and it has given the Barisan Nasional a lot of new spirit and hope for the future.

"It has to be a sustainable victory and we will sustain our victory by

understanding what needs to be done for the long haul. So it cannot just be a one-off victory but (we must) build on it and strengthen what needs to be done so that the Barisan Nasional becomes the party for the future as well," he said.

However, the prime minister said he believes that the ultimate test for the BN would be the next general election.

"The ultimate test will of course be the general election. So far from what I have heard, I am very encouraged that there is an underlying support among the public and we hope to show results and the people want to see the results.

"We are committed to ensuring that our execution and implementation will be showing the way in terms of delivering the results that the people would like us to do," he added.

- Bernama