Muhyiddin confident of a good BN show

SIBU: Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is confident of a good show by the Barisan Nasional in the Sibu parliamentary by-election, but he stresses the need for all to work hard to win.

"Based on BN's track record, we are confident of retaining the seat for five terms. It is a BN fortress.

"The spirit among all our members is at an all-time high, and the late Robert Lau Hoi Chew (who was the incumbent) had served the people very well," he told a media conference after returning officer Wong See Meng had announced the candidates for the by-election at the Civic Centre, here.

He said every by-election was important for the BN "in gauging to what extent the people have been comfortable with it and appreciate all it has done".

"We do not consider any by-election as easy to win. The Sibu by-election is no exception with its over 50,000 voters spread out over a huge area.

"We have mobilised every machinery at every level. I have directed the central machinery to move as efficiently as possible. They should not be bogged down by any internal problems," he added.

Muhyiddin said the next one week was going to be critical.

"We know what issues the opposition is going to exploit.

"We will not be defensive but go on the offensive to explain them for the sake of those voters who are not clear about them.

"I have been on the ground too. There are specific areas which we need to look into. We will come up with better planning for the benefit of the people whoever and wherever they are. Sibu can still grow and prosper," he said.

No fear

To a question, he said the BN had no fear facing the Pakatan Rakyat in the state as this was not the first time it was facing it.

"We faced them in the Batang Ai and we won. To me, this shows that the BN concept is still being accepted as it has been working very well for all races," he said.

Muhyiddin also said the backing of all races was essential for BN to win and not just the Bumiputera support alone.

"Voters are kings in all elections. We must know how to manage them irrespective of their race and religion," he said when asked if BN would still need to depend heavily on the Bumiputeras to deliver the votes in Sibu.Meanwhile, when met after the media conference, the BN candidate Robert Lau Hoi Yew, 48, said he was optimistic of winning.

The by-election will pit him against DAP Wong Ho Leng, 50, and an independent Narawi Harun, 60, a former soldier and now a businessman.

- Bernama