Kelantan Umno Liaison chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed (pic) personally feels that Barisan Nasional may not necessarily contest in the by-election for the Chempaka state constituency seat.
This was because the focus should be on the post-flood rehabilitation work in the state, said Mustapa who is also the Joint Chairman of the Kelantan State Flood Disaster Committee.
“That is my personal view. I have not discussed with the Pengkalan Chepa Umno division and the State Umno Liaison Committee to seek their opinion (on the by-election),” he told reporters after attending a post-flood briefing on Saturday.
He was commenting on preparation by the Kelantan Umno to face the by-election following the death of the incumbent, former Kelantan mentri besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat on Thursday due to prostate cancer.
Mustapa pointed out that there was much work to be done in the post-flood rehabilitation efforts such as the construction of houses that were lost or damaged in the severe flood in December besides ensuring that the work was completed within the deadline set.
“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 said.
Responding to a question, he said that discussions between him and the Pengkalan Chepa Umno division as well as the Kelantan Umno Liaison Body might be held within the next one or two weeks. – Bernama
