KUCHING: Barisan Nasional (BN) will unite to face the opposition in the Balingian by-election.
BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said this in his text message yesterday.
“We (BN) are ready for them (opposition) … we will be working in unity.”
He was asked to comment on news report that Wanita PKR vice-chairperson Voon Shiak Ni had told a press conference in Sibu that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) would be represented by PKR in the by-election.
Voon said PR had decided in a recent meeting to let PKR contest in the by-election, adding the election machinery was already in place.
Dr Rundi, who is Kemena assemblyman, and Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), said BN was ready for the opposition, but would not take them lightly.
The Balingian seat was vacated by former Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud as he would be sworn in as the new Yang di-Pertua Negeri today.
Taib’s official notice to vacate the seat was received on Feb 26, as announced by State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Awang Asfia Awang Nassar on Thursday.