Evaluate candidates' sincerity - Hishammuddin

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said they actually realised the late Tan Sri Adenan Satem had done much for the area and as a result had obtained a large majority at the state election in May last year.

"They know the late Adenan had done much for the area, this we know from the outcome of the recent state election, the majority and support garnered was so big...I also don't understand why they want to contest," he said.

He said this to reporters when met after attending a 'Jiwa Murni' programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Bumiputera here Thursday.

Also present was Azizul Annuar Adenan, the youngest child of the Barisan Nasional (BN) Tanjong Datu state constituency candidate Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu.

Asked whether the two candidates, Rapelson Richard Hamit (PBDS Baru) and Johnny Aput (STAR) were serious about contesting at the by-election seeing their lukewarm campaigns, Hishammudin said the two candidates should answer the question.

"(I) don't know that, ask them whether they are serious or not, I don't care as what's important is that BN is. We want to prove to the people, in whatever condition, with or without contest we want to continue the late Adenan's legacy," he said.

On BN support for Sarawak at Tanjong Datu, he said the support had been interpreted via the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Seri Johari Baharum on nomination day. (Feb 4)