Annuar Suggests BN Boycott Of Permatang Pauh By-Election

KOTA BAHARU, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- Kelantan Umno Liaison Committee chairman Tan Sri Annuar Musa Friday suggested that the Barisan Nasional (BN) boycott the by-election to be held in the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency following the resignation of its Member of Parliament and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail Thursday.

He described the resignation of Dr Wan Azizah as a PKR political strategy to steer public focus away from the sodomy accusation against her husband and PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Speaking to reporters here, he said fielding a candidate would result in a waste of public funds and that it was unnecessary for the BN to go along with Anwar's political strategy.

In BUKIT MERTAJAM, single mother Siti Khadijah Harun said the constituents had had enough of the unfulfilled promises made by political leaders and regarded the upcoming by-election as another opportunity for them to make more empty promises.

"Regardless of who the candidates are, they must fulfil their promises," she said.

Trader Mohd Radzi Saidin admitted that it was difficult for the voters to make a decision this time around because Anwar was a leader close to the hearts of the constituents.

Meanwhile, political analyst Assoc Prof Zaharom Naim said the BN should field a charismatic and popular candidate in the by-election to take on Anwar.

"The candidate should know the constituency well and understand the needs of the constituents," he said.