BN needs to contest in Chempaka to test people's support: Analysts

Barisan Nasional (BN) needs to contest in the by-election for the Chempaka state seat, political analysts said.

Dr Azmi Hassan, a geostrategist at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, said BN needs to contest in the by-election to give the people an opportunity to express their support.

"If the post-flood events are considered, then the Chempaka by-election is the best platform to assess how far the federal government's aid has been appreciated by the people of Kelantan," he said when contacted by Bernama Sunday.

Azmi said it was critical to understand the political mood of the Kelantan people as their mood changed according to the times.

"BN contesting in this by-election would be a signal that it was always with the people of Kelantan," he said.

Meanwhile, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) International and Political Studies lecturer Md Shukri Shuib said if BN did not contest, it would be an acknowledgement that PAS had automatic right to the seat.

"BN should not relinquish its responsibilities as a political party and deny the people the right to vote for who they want to represent them," he said.

"BN should not be soft in this matter, and not lay down arms even before the fight begins," he said.

UMNO Youth head Khairy Jamaluddin, when met at the 'Walk-A-Run' carnival in Putrajaya Sunday, said BN did not need to contest in the by-election but should focus its efforts on the flood recovery process in south and central Kelantan.

On Saturday, Kelantan UMNO chief, Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed expressed similar sentiments that focus should be on the state's recovery after the floods.

He was commenting on UMNO Kelantan's preparations to face the by-election following the death of its incumbent , former Kelantan menteri besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat on Thursday from prostate cancer.

Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak, had also said BN was still waiting for official word from the Election Commission on the state seat before deciding on its next move.