KUALA BESUT, July 12 – Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today it was important for the Barisan Nasional (BN) to retain the Kuala Besut state seat to maintain stability in Terengganu’s administration and development.
He said it was for this reason that the BN had fielded civil engineer Tengku Zaihan Che Ku Abd Rahman as its candidate because he had the stature, qualification, experience and background to retain the seat.
Tengku Zaihan’s qualities could draw the support of the voters to return BN to the seat and enable it to continue to govern the state, he told a news conference after the close of nomination for the by-election at the Kuala Besut Rakan Muda Complex, here.
Also present at the news conference were Tengku Zaihan and BN deputy election director for the by-election, Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh. Muhyiddin is the election director.
“I am fully confident that the qualities of Tengku Zaihan and his family can garner the support for the BN,” Muhyiddin said.
Muhyiddin said the BN was confident of retaining the seat with a bigger majority based on feedback because all major issues pertaining to the constituency had been resolved during the general election.
In the general election, on May 5, Dr A Rahman Mokhtar of the BN beat Napisah Ismail of PAS by 2,434 votes. Rahman died of lung cancer on June 26.
Muhyiddin said the 37-year-old Tengku Zaihan would be able to not only carry on the development excellence introduced by Rahman but also inspire the younger generation in Kuala Besut to greater heights.
“Issues pertaining to agriculture and fisheries have been taken into account. Matters arising will be tackled during the election campaign. We will be able to scrutinise issues better through Tengku Zaihan,” he said.
Muhyiddin said the BN would adjust its election campaign to the needs of the Ramadan fasting month, but carry out the campaign with prudence and effectiveness.
Muhyiddin said Kuala Besut and Besut were not alien to the BN because the constituents had enjoyed the services of its leaders and elected representativesfor a long time and knew their calibre.
The infrastructure and physical development as well as Islamic propagation delivered by the BN leaders in these areas reflected the greater support from the local community, he said.
Asked whether BN was concerned about the “16-16” slogan of PAS, a reference to the number of seats that the BN and Pakatan Rakyat would have if PAS were to win the by-election, he said he did not wish to speculate on something that would not necessarily happen.
The BN formed the Terengganu state government after winning 17 seats in the general election on May 5. PAS had won 14 seats and PKR, one. This by-election has drawn great interest because a PAS victory would end in both the BN and Pakatan Rakyat having 16 seats each, resulting in a hung state assembly.
“Let’s focus on the by-election and not speculate on something that is not likely to take place. I do not wish to comment on the opposition.
“I want to sell my product; our product is Tengku Zaihan, a qualified candidate of calibre, a scholar, a professional, a young individual. The Kuala Besut constituents are wise enough to know what they want,” he said.
The by-election is a straight fight between Tengku Zaihan and Endot alias Azlan Yusof of PAS. Polling is on July 24.
Muhyiddin also called on Wan Ramlah Ahmad, 67, a former senator and former Terengganu Wanita Umno chief who is suffering from hypertension, in Kampung Paya Rawa, about 200 metres from the nomination centre.
– BERNAMA
