The Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Galas state seat by-election will be announced on Oct 24, two days before the nomination date.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said a number of names thought to qualify to contest had been listed for consideration.

“We have received information on their backgrounds,” he said, adding that the final decision would be made by the prime minister after getting the views of Gua Musang member of parliament Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and other Kelantan Umno leaders.

azlan “The announcement on the BN candidate will be made in Galas or Gua Musang,” said Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president, after meeting Malaysian students and Australia Umno Club and New Zealand Umno Club members in Sydney today.

The Galas by-election will be held following the death of its assemblyman Che Hashim Sulaima, 45, from PAS due to cancer. The Election Commission has fixed Oct 26 for nomination of candidates and Nov 4 for polling.

        

In the 2008 general election, Che Hashim garnered 4,399 votes, defeating BN candidate Mohd Saufi Deraman who obtained 3,753 votes, by 646 votes.

Muhyiddin said what was important was that the “BN candidate should know the constituents, has a good service record, is courteous, and has morals and good political background”.

He said BN would address all issues raised by the opposition including wang ehsan (compassionate payment) and oil royalty.

“We will take the approach of facing the issues up front...no sweeping under the carpet. This is another opportunity for BN and Umno to explain issues raised by the opposition.”

    

He said BN would also focus on the profile of Galas voters, with Malays forming the majority, Chinese 22 percent and Orang Asli making up a small percentage, in drawing up the strategies to win the by-election.

        

“We will leave a major part of the preparation for the by-election to the Gua Musang leader as Ku Li is an experienced and influential figure in the area.”

Asked whether PAS might field an Orang Asli candidate, Muhyiddin said BN had never belittled its opponent and regarded every election as important.

“It's up to them (PAS) and we cannot take lightly anyone they choose as their candidate.

“I’ve never taken them lightly. We should know every step taken by the opposition and regard it as challenge,” he said.

    

Earlier, Muhyiddin who is also Education Minister, met with 20 leaders of the Australia and New Zealand Umno clubs.

- Bernama