KAJANG: Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today confirmed that Barisan Nasional will be going into an offensive mode for the upcoming Kajang by-election.
“We will be on the offensive because otherwise we would be perceived to be weak. We know the issues that would be raised and we are aware of issues in the opposition party,” said Muhyiddin with reference to PKR.
He assured that BN would however contest the by-election “in a gentleman’s manner”.
“We will expose their issues but we will not do any personal attacks,” said Muhyiddin after chairing a two hour meeting with BN component leaders and the polling district machinery chairman here today.
Muhyiddin’s statement however contradicts BN campaign on the ground with Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan, among others, opting for character assassination.
BN is fielding MCA vice president Chew Mei Fun in the by-election whereas PKR is fielding its de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Others in the Kajang race is former Kita party founder Zaid Ibrahim and dangdut singer, Herman Tino.
The state constituency has 39,278 registered voters, majority of whom are Malays. Nomination has been set for March 11 and polling on March 23.
The Kajang state seat fell vacant following the resignation of incumbent assemblymen Lee Chin Cheh of PKR on Jan 27.
The state seat comprises 39,728 registered voters. At the last general elections in May, 2013, the seat saw a voter turnout of 87.9% with 541 spoilt votes. It has 48% Malay voters, Chinese 41%, Indian 10% and others 1%.
Possible water tariff hike?
Meanwhile, in response to the recent water MOU signed between the Selangor and federal governments, Muhyiddin appeared unconcerned over the issue of a possible water tariff hike which was raised by PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli earlier today.
“I don’t want to make a statement on the water tariff. It is stated in the MOU. What is more important is to kickstart the construction of Langat 2 dam,” said Muhyiddin who also heads the Cabinet’s special committee on Selangor water woes.
Earlier today Rafizi said that the MOU inked by Selangor and the federal governments was lopsided and possibly illegal. He also claimed that it would inevitably result in water tariff hikes, statewide.