Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today dismissed talk that the outcome of the Tenang by-election will influence his decision to hold snap polls.

"It can't be connected to the general election, that is another question. We must treat this by-election as a normal by-election. Nothing more than that," said Najib during a press conference at Felda Tenang.

He said this after being asked whether he would call for snap polls should BN secure a comfortable win on Jan 30.

NONE Najib also dismissed speculation that the Tenang polls can be used as a barometer for the next general election.

"Not necessarily. Because in by-elections, there are a few factors that determine the outcome. However we are determined to maintain our record because recently we have been successful in previous by-elections."

Najib refused to speculate on how big the majority which BN would secure but stressed that a "comfortable victory" was imperative.

"Definitely we want to win comfortably but I don't want to set any target,” he said.

'Kit Siang fishing for sympathy'

Asked on DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang’s call for Pakatan Rakyat to be “realistic” and seek to only reduce BN’s majority instead of winning, Najib said that this was an opposition ploy to garner sympathy votes.

“They can influence the people here by saying that BN will still win with a lower majority but if too many think like this, we will face difficulty.

tenang by election pas announce candidate 160111lim kit siang “Every vote is important. The question is not reducing the majority but electing a party that can serve the people,” he said.

On Lim’s ( left ) earlier comment that questioned Najib’s power as BN chairperson to veto general election candidates proposed by the other BN component parties, Najib said it was a consensus decision among the component parties.

“Our coalition has our own consensus among the component parties. Don’t meddle in BN politics,” he responded.

Najib today made a one-day whirlwind trip to the rural constituency, attending rallies at three Felda settlements - Tenang, Chemplak and Chemplak Barat - which had gathered over 10,000 settlers from Johor and Negri Sembilan.

He said the passionate response from the crowd shows that the settlers are satisfied with what the government has done for them.

“All three Felda settlements are still strong fortresses for BN and Umno,” he declared earlier in his speech to the crowd of over 2,000.

Najib also announced RM1.31 million of allocation to all the mosques, suraus and religious schools in the Felda settlements for upgrading works.