Dr M: BN must contest despite facing more experienced opponents

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PUTRAJAYA: Barisan Nasional (BN) should contest in the Kajang state seat by-election although its candidate will be facing experienced opponents.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said it was, however, up to BN to field the most qualified candidate for the coalition in the by-election.

“The chances may be 50-50. But it doesn’t matter what are the chances; you have to contest,” he told reporters after launching the 12th Putrajaya National Canoe Championship, here, yesterday.

He was asked whether BN should field an experienced candidate in the Kajang by-election as so far, two political heavyweights, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air (KITA) former president  Datuk Zaid Ibrahim have confirmed that they would be contesting.

At a press conference in Kajang yesterday, Zaid announced that he would be an  independent candidate in the by-election.

The Election Commission has fixed March 11 for nomination of candidates for the by-election and March 24 for polling.

The seat fell vacant after its incumbent assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh from PKR controversially quit the post on Jan 27.

In Kota Belud, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said all quarters should wait patiently for BN to decide whether to contest in the by-election or not. — Bernama