Do not take Rompin by-election lightly: Hishammuddin

UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein reminded the Barisan Nasional (BN) machinery not to take the Rompin by-election on May 5 lightly because it is a BN stronghold.

Hishammuddin, who is BN coordinator for Rompin by-election, said the BN machinery must always be prepared to face relentless attacks on the party's top leadership.

"Wanita BN has been given the heavy responsibility to deal with the attacks on our top leaders by various parties," he said at the launch of the 'Wanita BN's People's Machinery' for the Rompin by-election in Muadzam Shah, about 60km from Rompin, Tuesday.

Hishammuddin, who is also Defence Minister said the BN machinery should have a communications network and be synchronised with the party's top leadership in providing explanation on issues.

"Firstly, the BN leaders and members should ensure that the message sent out to voters about development programmes is clear.

"Secondly, we need to ensure a communications network and our answers to the voters are in tune with whatever issues raised," he said.

Meanwhile, Wanita BN chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said Wanita BN would work hard to support BN candidate Datuk Hasan Arifin, the acting head of Rompin UMNO Division.

"The Wanita BN machinery must be compact, disciplined and fully committed in ensuring that our candidate win in this by-election," she added.

The Rompin parliamentary by-election is held following the death of its incumbent, Tan Sri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis in a helicopter crash in Semenyih, Selangor on April 4.

At the 13th general election, Jamaluddin who had held the seat for almost six terms, defeated the former head of PAS Women Nuridah Mohd Salleh with a majority of 15,114 votes.

Rompin constituency has 53,294 registered voters. Nomination of candidates will be held Wednesday, early voting on April 30 while polling day is May 5.