Najib confident with Kerdau, Merlimau BN candidates

February 26, 2011

Najib says he expects BN to retain both seats.LABUAN, Feb 26 Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is confident that the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates in Kerdau and Merlimau will be accepted by the people, thus ensuring victory for the BN.They were selected after a tight screening process and not only have the capability but also strong personal credibility, he told reporters after launching the 1 Malaysia Clinic at the Taman Mutiara public housing in Kampung Sg Bedaun, near here today.Najib, who is also the BN chairman, said this when asked to comment on the straight fights between the BN and PAS in the by-elections for the Kerdau and Merlimau State Assembly seats.For the Kerdau State Assembly seat, BN is represented by the Kuala Krau Umno vice-head, Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad while PAS is represented by the Pahang PAS information head, Hassanuddin Salim.For the Merlimau state constituency, BN is represented by a member of the Jasin Umno division committee, Roslan Ahmad, 44, while PAS is represented by the PAS Youth state deputy head, Yuhaizad Abdullah.Najib said although the BN was expected to retain the Merlimau and Kerdau state seats, it was not taking any political threat from the opposition lightly.We must work hard and comprehensively. We want our machinery to move smoothly without any internal problems that could pose obstacles or splits within the party and cause problems to us.So far, the reports have been positive and hopefully, our BN machinery is fully mobilised. Although the candidate contesting is from Umno, we will cooperate with the other BN component members, he said.The Kerdau State Assembly seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent assemblyman, Datuk Zaharuddin Abu Kassim on February 12.In the 2008 general elections, Zaharuddin, from the BN, defeated PAS candidate, Hassanuddin, with a majority of 1,615 votes.The by-election for the Merlimau state ! constitu ency is being held following the death of incumbent assemblyman, Datuk Mohamad Hidhir Abu Hassan, 56, on January 20.In the 2008 general election, Mohamad Hidhir beat PAS candidate Jasme Tompang with a majority of 2,154 votes. Bernama