Keep fight clean, Koh urges BN

Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon says Barisan Nasional faces an uphill battle trying to wrest Permatang Pauh

GEORGE TOWN: Barisan Nasional must fight the Permatang Pauh by-election in an honest, honourable and humble manner to win respect and support from the people, state BN chairman Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said.

He said it would be an uphill battle.

Koh, who is acting Gerakan president, said it was not unexpected for de facto Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to contest in Permatang Pauh in his attempt to return to Parliament.

"Our internal analysis predicted this a month ago.

"Furthermore, Permatang Pauh is Anwar's home base which his wife, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail won even in 2004 at the height of BN's popularity."
State Umno secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim said Dr Wan Azizah's decision was evidence that she could not lead the opposition.

He said it was also an act of betrayal of the people who voted her in.

"She has failed the rakyat. She has proven she is unfit to serve the people."

Azhar said Pakatan Rakyat was also going back on its word to be a prudent government, as a by-election required spending taxpayers' money.

Azhar said the state Umno leaders would meet soon to map out a strategy to wrest the seat back from PKR.

"The people can see for themselves our contributions. PR has done nothing. They have not helped the Malays, especially those in the rural areas."

State MCA deputy liaison committee chairman Lau Chiek Tuan said the current situation was of no help to BN, alluding to Anwar's ability to turn a sodomy allegation against him into being perceived as a political ploy to derail his ambitions.

-NST Online