Umno Youth has urged the BN machinery to focus on reaching out to voters of all races during its campaign in the Sungai Besar parliamentary by-election.
    
Its chief, Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar said the matter should be taken seriously because BN could not rely solely on the Malay voters to achieve victory.

"We cannot rely only on official programmes attended by our strong supporters. We must go and meet the voters... do not expect voters to find us.

"Have more walkabouts and reach-out programmes," he said in his speech at the BN Sports Carnival and launch of BN Youth Salam Motoring Vehicles programme at the SMJK(C) Yoke Kuan in Sekinchan, today.

Also present were Selangor BN chairperson Noh Omar and BN candidate for the Sungai Besar by-election, Budiman Mohd Zohdi.  

Khairy, who is also Youth and Sports Minister, said the BN machinery must be aware the Sungai Besar by-election would be a final test to gauge how BN would perform in the 14th general election.
    
The by-election will be held on June 18, with early voting on June 14. Nomination day is fixed on June 5.

The seat fell vacant after its incumbent, Noriah Kasnon, who was also plantation industries and commodities deputy minister, was one of five people killed in a helicopter crash in Sebuyau, Sarawak on May 5. 

- Bernama