PM: A show of solid support for BN

PENANG: Barisan Nasional's victory with a bigger majority in the Kuala Berang by-election reflects the people's support, which has grown more solid for the ruling party, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. 

“I believe the Barisan machinery worked hard and that is why the voters came out to vote for Barisan,” the Prime Minister said at the launch of the Bandar Cassia project here last night. 

Abdullah, who received the results through video conferencing, said he believed the machinery – from the Umno grassroots and branch right up to the divisions – had worked in unity to secure victory. 

He also attributed the victory to the hard work of his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh and Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib.  

He hoped that Barisan candidate Mohd Zawawi Ismail, 45, would fulfil his pledge to work hard as a wakil rakyat. 

In Kuala Berang, Idris attributed Barisan’s good showing as a victory for the voters. 

He said the voters believed that only the coalition could deliver on its promises. 

“The voters have said that Barisan’s four-month rule of the state is better than PAS’ four-and-a-half year rule. 

“We will now turn Kuala Berang into a Barisan fortress,” he said. 

On PAS’ harping on phantom voters during the campaign, Idris said it was merely a figment of PAS’ imagination. 

“The results have proven them wrong. Only a ghost can recognise another ghost,” he added. 

Terengganu MCA chairman Datuk Lau Yin Pin congratulated Idris, saying the people had endorsed his leadership.