Don’t over-analyse by-election results, says Guan Eng
GEORGE TOWN: Do not read too deep into the results of the recently-concluded parliamentary by-elections, DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng told Opposition supporters today.
He called on them not to despair over Opposition’s losses, saying it was a common pattern for BN to win most by-elections.
However, Lim pointed out that in the 2007 Ijok by-election, BN had won but lost in the 2008 General Election.
“The proof is the Ijok by-election in Selangor. Before 2007, not only BN won, but they won with a bigger majority. But in 2008, they lost Ijok and the whole Selangor state.
“All PRKs (by-elections) before were won by BN. So I feel before 2008, 2013, it was the obvious pattern. It was often won by BN.
“Let’s not read too deep into the results,” the Penang CM said at a press conference in Komtar today.
Lim added it was time for Malaysians to decide if they want a party that was like BN or a BN “celup” (same type) party.
“They must choose. They want to pick BN or pick the Opposition that is very very different from BN; not some BN-celup type parties.
“We know where we are weak. We will fix it. We will hold strong to our principles. The people must enjoy freedom, integrity and clean governance,” adding that the Pakatan bloc was prepared to face a snap general election, if called.
BN retained the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seats in the June 18 by-elections by huge majorities of 9,191 and 6,969 votes respectively.
BN’s candidate Budiman Mohd Zohdi, of Umno, polled 16,800 votes in Sungai Besar compared with Amanah’s Azhar Abdul Shukur with 7,609 votes and Dr Abdul Rani Osman of PAS emerging third with 6,902 votes.
In Kuala Kangsar, Mastura Mohd Yazid of Barisan polled 12,653 votes, beating PAS’ Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad, who received 5,684 votes, while Amanah’s Prof Dr Ahmad Termizi Ramli managed to get 4,883 votes.
Independent candidate Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary garnered 54 votes, losing his deposit.
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