PETALING JAYA, July 1 — Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin (picture) said he will lead Barisan Nasional’s defence in the Kuala Besut by-election that could decide the fate of the Terengganu state government.
“We are ready to face the by-election. The prime minister has decided to appoint me to head the BN election machinery in Kuala Besut,” the deputy prime minister was quoted as saying by the Sinar Harian news portal today.
Muhyiddin later added that former Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh will be the deputy election director.
“I hope with his (Idris’) help, BN can win and retain the seat,” he added.
The Election Commission will meet this Friday to set the nomination and polling dates for the seat that fell vacant following the death of incumbent Dr A. Rahman Mokhtar, 55, due to lung cancer on June 26.
The by-election will be crucial for the ruling Barisan Nasional as it won the state in Election 2013 with a two-seat majority. Defeat here will leave both BN and the opposition with 16 seats each and may plunge the state assembly into a crisis.
