Machap Win Proof Of People's Confidence In Abdullah - Najib

ALOR GAJAH, April 13 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Barisan Nasional's (BN) win in the Machap by-election was proof of the people's strong confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said it reflected the people's confidence in Abdullah's administration which they take pride in.
"It shows the people's support for the BN in Machap is still very strong," he told reporters after the results were announced.
The BN retained the seat with its candidate Lai Meng Chong, 56, defeating DAP's Liou Chen Kuang, 33, by a 4,081-vote majority.
Lai, 56, polled 5,533 votes while Liou, 33, contesting in the seat for the second time, received 1,452 votes.
Najib said the win would enable the BN to continue serving the people in Machap.
Najib said concerted efforts by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam in resolving various problems at the grassroots was also a factor in BN's victory in Machap.
"Although the majority has reduced slightly but overall I am satisfied with the outcome after what the opposition did during the run-up to the election," said Najib who spearheaded the BN election machinery.
"Lai Meng Chong contested for the first time and secured a majority of more than 4,000 votes. Although the opposition tried everything, the BN still managed a big win," he said.
Najib, who is also BN deputy chairman, said the results showed the people could not be easily swayed by the opposition's antics as they were more concerned on who could bring development for them.
On the reduced majority, he said a post-mortem would be conducted.
"However, the reduction in majority is not very significant," he said.
Najib also said an analysis needed to be made as to why voters who lived away from the constituency did not return to vote.
"They had just come back for the `Chin Beng' (all souls day), so to make a second trip within two weeks might have been a bit difficult for them," he said, adding that slight fluctuations in the majority was not something unusual.
Najib was confident Lai would serve the people well as he was a highly experienced person having been the political secretary to Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn and also played an active role in the Alor Gajah MCA division.
The seat fell vacant following the death of BN assemblyman Datuk Wira Poh Ah Tiam, 55, who was also Melaka MCA chief, on March 15.
Najib added that the win was also a big motivation for the BN in facing the Ijok by-election in Selangor on April 28.

tunku : yea i understand why najib said like that, he's trying hard to save his post from the evils. i really hope that we could have consensus on this matter whether the rakyat have the confidence or not.my personal view it is just the government which the are confidence in not pak lah.