Najib grateful of BN's win in Teluk Intan

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has expressed gratitude that Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk Mah Siew Keong won the Teluk Intan by-election Saturday.

Extending his congratulations to Mah and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who led the BN campaign as well as to the BN election machinery for their hard work, Najib it was "sweet" news to him on the final night of his official visit to China in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic ties.

"I am very thankful to Allah...I am very happy to know the BN won although by a narrow majority. But under the democratic system, even one vote is good enough for victory," he told Malaysian journalists covering his China visit which ends Sunday.

The news of the BN victory was received by Najib while he was attending the Malaysia-China Friendship Dinner at a hotel here.

Najib, who is also BN chairman, also called Mah to congratulate him. Mah, who is Gerakan president, polled 20,157 votes to defeat Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud of the DAP by a majority of 238 votes.

Najib said the victory was also very meaningful because the BN lost the seat by a majoirty of more than 7,000 votes in the last general election, and thanked voters in Teluk Intan who picked the ruling coalition this time.

"This indicates a big swing to the BN. We will analyse the factors that caused the swing in the BN's favour...too early to make conclusions," he said.

Asked if Mah would be given a Cabinet post as he had announced here on Thursday, Najib said it will be honoured because the BN held to its slogan "Janji Ditepati" (Promises Kept).

Asked by one of the journalists that there will two presidents of BN component parties in the Cabinet (referring to MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Najib broke into laughter and said they could not forget the MCA president.

"Must not forget MCA President....also contributed (to the win). If BN unity and solidarity work on the ground, you can see the effect and result, means stronger outcome for BN candidate," he added.