Msia's BN names candidate for Permatang Pauh by-election

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Malaysia's ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition has named 52-year-old Ariff Shah Omar Shah as its candidate for the Permatang Pauh by-election on August 26.

Bernama news agency quoted Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak as saying that after considering various aspects including local and current factors, Ariff Shah was the best candidate to take on Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Anwar Ibrahim.

"Ariff was selected based on his victory in the Seberang Jaya state constituency and the local factor," Mr Najib said.

Mr Najib, who is also BN deputy chairman and UMNO deputy president, made the announcement in front of over 3,000 BN supporters at Sunway Carnival Convention Centre on Wednesday night.

The by-election was called after PKR president Wan Azizah Wan Ismail vacated her seat to make way for her husband Anwar to make a bid to return to Parliament.

Mr Ariff Shah, who had attended Chinese primary and secondary schools, expressed confidence that he would win even with a small majority.

He also outlined two main agenda for the electorate should he get elected on August 26.

The Seberang Jaya State Assemblyman said he would strengthen unity among the races in Permatang Pauh and to tackle poverty in the parliamentary constituency.

He said Permatang Pauh had been cursed and deprived of development since it fell to the opposition in 1999 as the people and elected representative were not close.

"It is time to break the curse on Permatang Pauh by giving me the chance to serve the people of Permatang Pauh by resolving their problems," he told reporters after launching the BN election machinery for Permatang Pauh on Wednesday.

For Mr Anwar, he is not concerned as to who his challenger is in the by-election.

"I don't care who the BN candidate is. I have no quarrel with Ariff Shah. If he wants to contest, that is his right. Furthermore, he has already won in Seberang Jaya," said Mr Anwar in a ceramah at Kampung Kota, Permatang Pasir on Wednesday night.

The Election Commission (EC) has fixed August 16 for nominations.

- CNA/de
Channel NewsAsia
14/08/08

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