Nizar's statement was rude - Hishammuddin

That was the reaction from Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein to the statement by former Menteri Besar of Perak Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin on the Kuala Kangsar by-election.

Hishammuddin said he did not expect Mohammad Nizar would utter such words without considering the feelings of the late Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, just for political reasons.

"I wondered if the words were really uttered under the current circumstances, and they were, rude.

"Because I knew Datuk Wan Khair-il well, I know his wife, I know his children," Hishammuddin said when asked to comment on Mohammad Nizar's comments, after visiting the Ramadan bazaar at Taman Berkat here today.

Yesterday, during his speech at Kampung Sayong Lembah, Kuala Kangsar, Mohammad Nizar was quoted by social media as saying "Allah wants the people of Kuala Kangsar to 'teach' BN through the Kuala Kangsar by-election." (let BN lose).

During his speech, Mohammad Nizar said he often asked himself why of the 222 Parliamentary seats in the country, Allah chose the by-elections to be held in Sungai Besar, Selangor and Kuala Kangsar.

"When I think about it, this is where I was given the mandate to become Perak menteri besar from March 2008 until February 2009," he was quoted as saying by a news portal.

He then claimed that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had seized the government under him.

Hishammuddin who is UMNO vice-president said based on Mohammad Nizar's character, it is difficult to stop him making such statements.

Hishammuddin urged others not to follow Mohammad Nizar's example and not consider the feelings of the late Datuk Wan Khair-il's family.

Commenting on the Sungai Besar by-election, Hishammuddin said the chance to ensure victory for Barisan Nasional's candidate was dependent on the party's machinery to go to the grassroots and ensure that all went as planned.