Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called for BN to remain united in the Permatang Pauh by-election campaign to ensure victory for its candidate.

Zahid said the coalition should "kiss and make up" to settle any differences between members and component parties.

"Don't kick up a fuss ( kerenah ). The most important thing is that voters need to be met one by one to tell them to choose our candidate," he said at the launch of the BN operations centre ( left ).

Zahid is referring to factional fights which may arise within and between parties, especially following former premier Mahathir Mohamed's public criticism againt Prime Minister Najib Razak.

The campaign for the parliament seat will kick off on April 25, which is the nomination day; early voting has been fixed on May 3.

He also warned that there may be provocation from rival PKR during the 12-day campaign.

But he assured that the 3,000 police personnel on duty will keep everyone safe during the campaign period which ends on polling day on May 7.

He thanked the police force for its services to maintain peace and public order.

"The police must arrest if there is any untoward incident but do not just arrest them; arrest us as well or else they will say we are unfair," he joked.

'This time it is BN's turn'

Zahid then launched the BN operations centre located outside the Perda City Mall in Bukit Mertajam on the mainland.

The event was attended by about 1,000 people.

Zahid said BN's slogan to convince voters to support its candidate this time is " Cukup lah, kali ini kami pulak " (enough lah, this is our turn)".

He added that the BN candidate has a clean record and will do his work well as an MP.

It is highly speculated that Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin will later announce Suhaimi Sabuddin, the Permatang Pauh division secretary, as candidate.

Zahid also boasted that the crowd at the launch today is larger than at any other by-elections in the past.

"There are many issues - local, national and about our candidate - which our rivals will bring up but we are in the forefront to explain all issues," he assured.

The seat fell vacant when Anwar Ibrahim failed to get a pardon from the Yang diPertuan Agong and continues to serve his five-year jail term for sodomy.