GE13: Najib in straight fight with PKR man

PEKAN: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will face PKR supreme council member Fariz Musa in a straight fight for the Pekan parliamentary seat.

This is Najib's eighth election outing including the 1976 by-election where he first stood as a candidate upon the death of his father Tun Razak Hussein.

Fariz, 43, contested and lost in his bid for the Kemaman parliamentary seat in the 2008 polls.

Najib, who is Barisan Nasional chairman, said the election campaign has now gone into full gear and the coalition's candidates should take advantage of the duration to woo voters by explaining Barisan's pledges to the rakyat.

“Tell the people what we have in store for them based on the national transformation programme and our akujanji (pledges),” he said in an interview with TV3 and RTM after his nomination was announced.

Later at a luncheon with Barisan supporters and the four state seats' candidates, Najib said he felt the people's sentiment was positive towards the coalition.

Sporting rivals: Najib sharing a light moment with Fariz while they wait for the end of the nomination period.

 

“I assure you that Barisan will bring more development and prosperity if we form the Government after the general election,” he said.

In Muar, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Opposition should provide proof to back its accusations about corrupt acts by the Government.

Muhyiddin, who submitted his nomination papers at the Pagoh Sports Complex in Pagoh, said the Barisan government had adopted measures to curb corruption.

He also said the Opposition was fond of blaming Barisan for the high cost of living despite the numerous programmes to ease the financial burden of the people.

“We have done a lot and we will continue to improve on what we can do to help the people.

“However, we don't see Pakatan doing anything to offset the high cost of living in Kedah, Kelantan, Penang and Selangor,” he said.

In Cameron Highlands, MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel is locked in a five-cornered fight with DAP, Berjasa and two independent candidates.

He is up against DAP's M. Manogaran, 53, who was formerly Teluk Intan MP; Berjasa's Mohd Shokri Mahmood, 52, and Independents N. P. Kisho Kumar, 32, and T. Alagu, 51.

(Source: The Star Online)