Galas by-election: Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah agrees to be BN election director

2010/10/09
By Patrick Sennyah

SEPANG: Gua Musang Member of Parliament Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said today he has agreed to be the Barisan Nasional (BN) election director for the Galas state by-election on Nov 4.

However, he added, the question of him being the BN candidate in the by-election did not arise as he would have to first meet with Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, probably on Monday.

"I have yet to have a meeting. I may meet with the prime minister on Monday.

After the meeting, I will hold a news conference and announce the outcome of the meeting," he told reporters at the KL International Airport here after flying in from London following an overseas trip.

He was greeted at the airport by Kelantan Umno Liaison Committee Chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Umno Information Chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan.

Tengku Razaleigh said his appointment as the BN election director for the by-election, nomination for which is on Oct 26, reflected his responsibilities as an Umno member and head of the Gua Musang Umno Division for almost 50 years as well as his role as the member of parliament for Gua Musang.

Galas is one of the three state seats in the Gua Musang parliamentary constituency in Kelantan.

The seat fell vacant following the death from colon cancer of the PAS assemblyman, Che Hashim Sulaima (rpt) Sulaima, 46, on Sept 27. He had won the seat in the 2008 general election by beating Mohd Saufi Deraman of the BN by a majority of 646 votes.

At the end of last month, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had announced the appointment of Tengku Razaleigh as the BN election director for the by-election, saying the Gua Musang MP was most experienced and influential and was well respected by the constituents of Galas.

Muhyiddin had also hinted that Tengku Razaleigh was the most suitable individual to be fielded as the BN candidate in the by-election. BN is expected to name its candidate on Oct 24.

PAS had alleged that Umno was trying to destroy Tengku Razaleigh's political career by involving him directly in the by-election.

Replying to a question on the matter, Tengku Razaleigh said that was the view of PAS and he respected it.

However, he added, the opposition party should also respect the view of Umno.

Asked about the alleged attempts by PAS to manipulate the issue of the Kelantan oil royalty, Tengku Razaleigh said the matter was subjudice as the PAS government in Kelantan had referred it to the courts.

When told that PAS had expressed confidence in retaining the Galas seat in the by-election, he said: "Let's see (what happens) on Nov 4." - BERNAMA

Pak Lah: PKR angry at Lim

2010/02/08

By Audrey Dermawan

KEPALA BATAS: The public outburst by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders against Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng shows there were weaknesses in the latter's administration, said former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Bada-wi. He said the attacks also showed that PKR leaders were disappointed with Lim's attitude to and stance on several state matters.

He said there was truth to criticisms levelled against Lim especially since PKR Bayan Baru member of parliament Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim had used strong words to hit out at Lim.

"From what I see, this is the work of dissatisfied party leaders in Pakatan Rakyat and has nothing to do with others.

"This is clear evidence that there are problems in Lim's DAP-led state government," he said after presenting red packets and Chinese New Year goodies to senior citizens here yesterday.

Abdullah had been asked to comment on the political crisis in the state.

Zahrain had labelled Lim as a dictator, a Chinese chauvinist and a communist-minded leader. His colleague, PKR Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng, called Lim a chief minister with no class.

"I think this situation (political crisis) will continue and lead to shortcomings in the state government.

"Lim has to realise by now that there is a vast difference between his role as a state government (now) and as an opposition (then)."

Abdullah scoffed at claims that Barisan Nasional, particularly Umno, was responsible for the rift between PKR and DAP.

He said there was no need for anyone to interfere in the dispute. "This is especially so since PKR leaders are not afraid to speak their mind about the chief minister."