Galas by-election: Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah agrees to be BN election director
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
Read more: Galas by-election: Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah agrees to be BN election director http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Galasby-election_TengkuRazaleighHamzahsaysyes/Article/#ixzz11pqxoqYC
