SAMARAHAN, 18 June 2009: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the issue on the unity government and the by-election for the Manik Urai state seat in Kelantan are two different issues, and each needs a unique solution.
Najib, who is also Umno president, said the party would certainly field a candidate for the 14 July by-election because the formation of a unity government with PAS had yet to enter the negotiation stage.
“There has been no discussion on the matter (unity government); we have to go through the [Manik Urai] by-election process,” he told reporters at Kampung Pichin, Serian here today.
Yesterday, Kelantan PAS asked Umno not to field a candidate in the Manik Urai by-election if it was truly serious about the proposal to form a unity government.
Kelantan PAS Deputy Commissioner II Datuk Husam Musa was quoted as saying that Umno would not “fight” PAS in the by-election if it was truly supporting the proposal.
On the statement by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who wanted Nasharuddin Mat Isa to step down as PAS deputy president and Member of Parliament for Bachok if he continued to support the idea of setting up the unity government, Najib described it as a surprising move.
“I don’t know what is behind the statement by Nik Aziz. As far as we are concerned, anything that is positive, we should work for it,” he said.
Nik Aziz was quoted as saying that the action by Nasharuddin could lead to chaos in the party. — Bernama
newchief says
I feel insulted that Najib said unity talks with PAS and the by-election for the Manik Urai are two different issues.
How could it be that BN is sincere as they claim for these talks but will go against PAS in the by-election? Also, BN has already set a condition to talk with PAS only and not to include PKR and DAP!
I think the 1Malaysia concept is actually is actually 1political concept, and that means the BN.
I feel very sad also that there are high-profile personalities saying that the talks are for the sake of the Malays’ future. My question is … what about other races? Did these other races help out to develop Malaysia as it is today? I think this is a racist concept of 1Malaysia by those high profile personalities.
I live in Malaysia with no ill feelings towards my race or any other races be them poor or rich because I always call myself Malaysian. Hope everyone adopts the way I do this.
Nicholas Aw says
I am not surprised that BN/Umno will contest in the Manik Urai state seat. It is a matter of political dignity. Should BN/Umno not contest it would be seen that they are cowards. So it is Hobson’s choice.
Like it or not, they have to put up a candidate although they know very well that the BN/Umno candidate will be soundly beaten. Never mind the loss, BN/Umno will give the obvious reason: “It’s PAS’s stronghold.”
Meanwhile, Umno is working hard in pushing for a unity talk with PAS as they foresee a win-win situation for them. If things work out, the ruling government becomes stronger with the inclusion of PAS. On the other hand if it fails, Umno would have succeeded in “brainwashing” the voters in Manik Urai and the population at large that PAS cannot be trusted and would jump ship and abandon Pakatan if the offer is to their advantage.