Umno to prepare for by-election.

Sunday November 30, 2008 - Staronline

PUTRAJAYA: Umno will discuss the possible candidates and preparations for the Kuala Terengganu by-election at its supreme council meeting on Wednesday.

The seat fell vacant following the death of Deputy Education Minister Datuk Razali Ismail on Friday.

Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said the party would also be going down to Kuala Terengganu to survey the situation.

“We will see what should be done and what preparations to make for the by-election to ensure the constituency remains with Barisan Nasional,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting on rural development with state exco members at the Prime Minister’s Office here yesterday.

Razali, 59, MP for Kuala Terengganu, died while playing badminton at the Aminuddin Baki Institute (IAB) in Genting Highlands.

At the last general election, Razali won with a 628-vote majority against PAS candidate Mohamad Sabu and a 31,877-vote majority over the oldest candidate in the polls, Independent, Maimum Yusof.

According to election laws, a by-election would have to be held within 60 days.

In Penang, DAP’s Lim Kit Siang said the party would back the PAS candidate in the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary constituency by-election.

“The Opposition will go all out to ensure a victory. Umno and Barisan will face a severe test,” he said at a party victory dinner at the Han Chiang High School in George Town.

The function, billed as the largest dinner in the state, was attended by some 10,000 people to mark the DAP’s victory in Penang in the March 8 general election.