Nenggiri polls: DPM Zahid willing to investigate claims BN uses gov't assets

GUA MUSANG: Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he is prepared to investigate claims that the BN machinery used government assets in the Nenggiri by-election campaigning.

At the same time, the Deputy Prime Minister urged those making the allegations to furnish evidence as required under the Election Commission Act.

"Don't simply accuse us (BN) of using government machinery. What about the Kelantan state government? I'm sure there are (such cases)," he told a press conference at a meet-and-greet programme with South Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar) settlers and community in Kampung Renok Baru here today.

The Perikatan Nasional (PN) operations director for Nenggiri by-election, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, in a Facebook post yesterday, alleged that government vehicles were used in campaign activities in Nenggiri, which was against regulations.

The Nenggiri by-election on Aug 17 is a straight fight between BN's Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani, who is representing the Unity Government, and PAS candidate Mohd Rizwadi Ismail, who is contesting for Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Earlier, in his speech at the event, Ahmad Zahid, who is UMNO president, said a BN victory in the by-election would not change the structure of the state government but would improve the well-being of the people in the constituency.

He said BN was fielding its best candidate and Mohd Azmawi Fikri has proven to be free of any personal issues.

"If we pick a good candidate, insyaAllah we will give a good outcome to the stakeholders (Nenggiri residents) later," he added.

Ahmad Zahid urged all BN machinery to work hard to wrest back the Nenggiri seat, which used to be a BN stronghold.

"We have only one week left; we have the best candidate and machinery. There is no reason why we cannot reclaim Nenggiri for BN," he added.

Kelantan State Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah declared the Nenggiri seat vacant on June 19 after he was informed that its assemblyman, Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, had ceased to be a member of Bersatu on June 13.

Since the seat was created in 2004, BN has won in four of the five elections held, with Mohd Azizi winning in the last state election.

-- BERNAMA