No need to contest in Chempaka: Mas Ermieyati

Puteri UMNO leader Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin shares with the views of several leaders in the party that there is no necessity for Barisan Nasional (BN) to contest in the by-election for the Chempaka state seat.

She said the focus should be on the process of rehabilitating areas affected by the floods in Kelantan and also on the by-election for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat.

However, the matter would be decided by the party leadership, she said, adding that the movement was prepared with its election machinery at all times.

She told this to reporters after closing the 'Masjid Tanah Run' here Sunday.

On Saturday, Kelantan MNO Liaison chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said he personally felt that BN may not necessarily contest in the by-election for the Chempaka state seat.

"Usually, whenever there is an election there will be conflicts, disputes, security issues. My personal opinion is that we should avoid splits and disputes, we should focus on the post-flood rehabilitation efforts," he had said.

UMNO Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin also concurred with Mustapa, saying that there was a need for close cooperation between the federal and state governments to facilitate the smooth post-flood process, which could be hampered if BN were to contest in Chempaka.