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2 theSun | FRIDAY APRIL 24 2009

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BN not scared,
EC concern over ‘unhealthy’ says Muhyiddin
by Tim Leonard

campaigning
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri


Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday the Barisan Na-
sional (BN) is not afraid to contest in a by-election in
Penanti and neither is it scared of the Opposition.
He said the BN machinery is prepared to face a
by-election if it is held.
by Maria J. Dass amended.” “Winning or losing is part and parcel of any
newsdesk@thesundaily.com Wan Ahmad election,” Muhyiddin told reporters after visiting
said the meeting SJK(C) Ladang Bukit Jalil in his capacity as the
PETALING JAYA: The Election with Barisan Na- education minister.
Commission met with political par- sional yesterday “We have never been afraid of anyone (in a
ties yesterday to address the “blatant morning, followed by-election).”
and growing” disregard for election by another with op- He was asked to comment on a statement
regulations, especially during the position party lead- by PKR’s head of strategy, Saifuddin Nasution
recent by-elections. ers in the afternoon, Ismail, that BN will be the underdog if it contests
EC deputy chairman Datuk Wan was an “immediate the Penanti seat.
Ahmad Wan Omar said the meeting measure to make “But our decision will only be made after
discussed many issues, including the political parties and the (Umno) supreme council meeting and
“tense and unhealthy” atmosphere at political supporters after we have heard the views of the others,”
the polling centres. respect the law”. he said.
“We are concerned with the cam- “To enforce the Asked to comment if there will be a reshuf-
paigning and unhealthy atmosphere law, we need to first fle in Umno following the supreme council
on polling day,” he said, referring to capture the under- meeting, Muhyiddin said: “It is common to see
the boisterous party supporters who standing and coop- some changes after the party election is over.
gather at the polling centres. eration of the parties, “The president, Datuk Seri Najib (Abdul Razak) will
“This is against the law as the which can then relay
Gobind announce it (the changes). What matters now is that we
ner, it will also make the police job
regulations state that all campaign- the message to their supporters,” he easier,” he said. takes find ways to strengthen the party,” he said.
ing should cease on the eve of polling said. “Right now, a lot of money is speaker “Whatever we do must be aimed towards improving
day. the party and its performance.”
“These regulations have been
“We feel this is the right approach spent for the police to maintain order to court Asked to comment on the leadership crisis in Tereng-
... to get the political parties to cooper- during elections because if anything
ignored, leading to unnecessary ate with the authorities in ceasing all goes wrong, the blame will land on
over ganu, Muhyiddin said he had met all those concerned,
tension at the polling centres, which campaigning on polling day, which is the police.” suspension including Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said, to hear their
may have deterred some voters from views and opinions.
coming out to vote.”
not allowed under the law.” In its initial report on the recent pg 4 “We have decided that any problem must be discussed
He said the relevant authorities by-elections in Bukit Selambau,
He described it as a “step back- and the police need to enforce this Bukit Gantang and Batang Ai, Mafrel behind closed doors and we have to find a way to solve
wards for democracy”. law and need the cooperation of the raised several other issues, including any problem that arises as soon as possible,” he said.
Commenting on the suggestion by “The state leaders must stop criticising each another
political parties to do so. the use of pubic facilities like town
Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections in public and they must give priority to the needs of the
“When the party supporters be- halls and government vehicles for
(Mafrel) on Wednesday for nomina- rakyat.”
have in a peaceful and mature man- campaigning.
tions to be held over an extended
period instead of the present one day,
Wan Ahmad said: “The EC has been
discussing this matter also, and we
know where Mafrel is coming from
Peace and security won’t be compromised, says IGP
in terms of suggestions to defuse the PETALING JAYA: Inspector-Gen- tions (Mafrel) that the heavy police deployment of personnel will be are at all key events to ensure they
tense situation on nomination day. eral of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan presence was unjustified. tailored to the needs,” Musa said. are conducted without disruption
“However, to introduce this, we said yesterday the heavy police theSun quoted Mafrel chairman “It is the duty of the police to en- and peacefully. Adequate police
need to amend the law as the law presence during the by-elections in Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh yesterday sure law and order throughout the presence is necessary to ensure
now only allows nominations to be Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and as saying people were wary about nation at all times. This is especially that rallies and gatherings do not
conducted within an hour, followed Batang Ai was justified. the unjustified mobilisation of so during any by-election or general degenerate into potentially cha-
by one hour of objection period, all “We feel that the expenditure policemen, and that the police election.” otic situations that could put lives
within the same day. incurred is justified given the expenditure of RM17 million was Musa said “it is not just all about at risk,” he said.
“There are a number of sugges- circumstances of the time and we 10 times higher than Election Com- nomination day or polling day as “In determining the level of po-
tions, options and procedures that note that the three by-elections were mission’s expenditure of RM600,00 there are political rallies, events and lice presence at various by-election
we can think of, some of which have conducted smoothly and peacefully,” a by-election. meetings where provocative words events, the police take into consid-
been implemented in other countries, he said in a statement in response “Peace and security will not are uttered and this could stir up eration various factors such as the
but we first have to study what is best to claims by election watchdog be compromised. Until the Elec- emotions leading to tension”. political sensitivity, the size of the
and study the laws that need to be Malaysians for Free and Fair Elec- tion Commission amend the laws, “It is essential that the police crowd and the security situation.”

Najib’s Indonesia visit fruitful


JAKARTA: Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak kicked of Indonesia as his first destination was not only
off his first overseas visit as the prime Minister due to its historical significance and cultural
on a high note, with commitment from Indonesia similarities but also due to Indonesia’s size.
to further strengthen bilateral ties, increase co- Indonesia, he said, has a population 10 times
operation in new areas and resolve any problem bigger than Malaysia’s.
through negotiation. “I am very much looking forward for a closer
In a meeting between Najib and Indonesian cooperation,” said Najib, adding that Susilo was
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the the first foreign leader who contacted him to
Istana Merdeka yesterday, both leaders also convey his best wishes on his appointment as
agreed to explore two new areas of cooperation the prime minister.
namely in the defence and energy sectors. He told Malaysian journalists at the end of his
Indonesia is offering Petronas, Malaysia’s visit that Indonesia welcomed the possibility of
national petroleum corporation, to take part in Malaysia exporting electricity from the Bakun
the oil and gas project in the Natuna waters. to Kalimantan.
Najib, on the other hand, offered cooperation “I have offered the possibility of us assist-
in the electricity sector by utilising the energy ing Indonesia in fulfilling the energy needs in
produced by the Bakun hydroelectricity project Kalimantan and President Susilo has welcomed
in Sarawak to supplement the electricity needs the offer.”
in Kalimantan, and the channelling of electricity Najib said ministers of both countries would
to Peninsular Malaysia through undersea cables hold follow-up meetings to discuss the matter
which pass through Indonesian waters. as well as the passage for the construction of
“I am very satisfied with the discussion this undersea cables to carry electricity from Bakun
morning and also with the fact that Indonesia to Peninsular Malaysia.
elevated my working visit into an official visit,” He said about 70% of the submarine cables
he told a joint news conference with Susilo after would pass through Indonesian’s waters in
the meeting. Natuna Islands in the South China Sea.
At the regional level, both leaders agreed, Asked whether Malaysia would offer any
among other things, to cooperate in tackling special price for the electricity to be exported
hijacking of ships of both countries in waters to Kalimantan, Najib said, pricing was not
off the coast of Somalia and the problems of discussed yet.
Rohingya refugees who landed in both countries. He said Malaysia decided to redevelop the
They also discussed cooperation at the Asean Bakun project as it was crucial to meet the
plus three level. country’s energy requirement especially in the
Answering a question, Najib said the choice peninsula. – Bernama

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