Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said today the BN can retain the Kerdau and Merlimau state seats in the by-elections on March 6, but he wants the coalition to win with a bigger majority of votes.

 

He also said that the BN election machinery should not underestimate the capability of the opposition in the two by-elections.

NONE PAS is taking on the BN in straight fights in the two by-elections.

In Kerdau, Kuala Krau Umno division vice-head Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad, 44, of the BN is facing Pahang PAS information chief Hassanuddin Salim, 43, and in Merlimau, Jasin Umno division committee member Roslan Ahmad, 44, is squaring off with Malacca PAS Youth deputy chief Yuhaizad Abdullah, 38.

"It is the desire of the leadership, especially our prime minister, that we garner a bigger majority. However, we must not take it easy. We regard this as a big challenge.

"We must work very hard to achieve the desired victory," Muhyiddin told reporters after the nomination for the Kerdau seat at the Tun Razak Hall of the Temerloh Municipal Council.

Muhyiddin said the BN expected to garner greater support in view of the various initiatives and transformation undertaken by the prime minister, and the improving economic activities which provided more opportunities for the people.

“These are positive factors which can help the voters make the right decision to choose the BN," he said.

'PAS deviod of issues'

Asked to comment on talk that it would be easy for the BN candidates to win the by-elections, Muhyiddin said the BN had never said that they would be easy victories.

On the statements by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang that they were not confident of victory for the opposition, he said those statements were not important.

"What is of importance is that we (the BN election machinery) must strive to garner support," he said.

Asked about the opposition questioning the academic background of the BN candidate for Kerdau, Muhyiddin said PAS was devoid of issues to raise in the by-election.

- Bernama