KUALA KRAI, 19 June 2009: Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the selection of the candidate for the Manik Urai state by-election will be decided fully by the party leadership after considering the views of the grassroots.
He said the Barisan Nasional (BN) was now looking at the list of several people who were qualified to become the candidate for the by-election to be held in July.
“We have many leaders who are all qualified. There’s no problem for us to choose the candidate, but we believe in the principle of negotiations with the divisional and state Umno.
“This is a by-election. It’s important for us to make the best decision by considering the views of everyone,” he said at a get-together with the Manik Urai state by-election machinery at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Laloh here.
Also present were the BN director for the Manik Urai state by-election, Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, his deputy, Senator Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin, and Kuala Krai Umno division head Datuk Mohd Ramzi Abdul Rahman.
He said the existing list of candidates would be evaluated by the party leadership from all aspects.
“We will evaluate from the top, bottom, front and back. If this [candidate] is decided by our leadership, just accept [the decision],” said Muhyiddin, who is also the deputy prime minister.
He said with everyone’s commitment and determination, it would not be difficult for the BN to win the by-election even though the constituency was labelled as a PAS stronghold.
“We want the victory in Manik Urai to reinvigorate our spirit not only in Kelantan but throughout the country. The victory this time will be able to heal all our wounds,” he said.
Muhyiddin reminded the party machinery to approach all the residents, including the hardcore PAS supporters. — Bernama
