Permatang Pauh: BN can create history by winning

"We have held meetings and serious discussions about what BN need to do to win the Permatang Pauh by-election and bring about a new meaning and create history.

"There are some parties that consider Umno and BN are the underdogs. This means we are faced with a very difficult and challenging situation. But nothing is impossible in politics, the battle must be fought till the end and be serious in our efforts," he said.

He said this in his speech at a special meeting with leaders of Umno divisions, BN component parties, branches as well as district balloting centre heads in the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency at Wisma Transformasi Umno, Bahagian Permatang Pauh, here today.

Also present were BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, state BN chairman Teng Chang Yeow, head of Penang Umno liaison, Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman and state BN component party leaders.

Muhyiddin who is also BN deputy chairman said BN needed to work harder and move as a team to attain success in Permatang Pauh.

"...to get to the peak of a mountain means we have to work harder. This was seen in the last general election when we were able to reduce the vote margin. Almost 40 percent voted for the BN candidate," he said.

He also reminded the party machinery to focus on the voters by providing information and clarification on issues.

The Election Commission has fixed the Permatang Pauh by-lection for May 7, with nomination day on April 25 while early voting would be on May 3.

The Permatang Pauh by-election is held following the decision by the Pardons Board on March 16 to reject the petition for royal pardon applied by the member of parliament for the constituency Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim through his family members, resulting in the opposition leader being disqualified as an elected representative.