Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today said that Barisan Nasional was ready to face PAS in the Permatang Pasir by-election on Aug 25.

He said that the component party would work together to wrest the seat away from PAS.

He also added that the BN election machinery was on standby and will start mobilising support from the voters.

najib announce royal commission on teoh death 220709"We have discussed on how we are going to strengthen our cooperation within the component parties and how we are going to mobilise our machinery," Najib told reporters after chairing a 90-minute BN meeting.

The by-election date was announced by the Election Commission today. Nomination for the polls will be on Aug 17.

The by-election is expected to see a straight fight between BN and PAS.

Najib however did not comment on BN's candidate for the state seat.

"We will announce our candidate soon... and hopefully the candidate will be well accepted by the people of Permatang Pasir," he said.

Too many Indian parties?

Najib also said that his '1 Malaysia' concept was also discussed and well-received during the supreme council meeting.

"The '1 Malaysia' coalition translates our political stand and the sentiments in our country to not divert towards extremism... we would also be able to reduce the tension within our society and work towards a stronger national unity," he said.

On another matter, Najib said that those who cause religious tensions would have to face action under the Sedition Act.

The premier was referring at criticism levelled against Muslim scholar Dr Mohd Ridhuan Tee on his article in Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia concerning the 'illegitimate child' of deceased DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock.

The premier was also quizzed on the government's approval of several Indian-based parties, namely the Malaysian Indian United Party (MIUP) and Makkal Sakthi Party in the recent past.

"We hope eventually there will be a rationalisation of political parties among the Indian community, that there will not be too many parties representing the Indian community," he said.

Najib calls for moderation

Asked to comment on the recent articles in Utusan Malaysia attacking the Pakatan Rakyat and its top leader Anwar Ibrahim of being a "traitor" to the Malay race, Najib said:

"Whatever it is, we expect moderation to be practised by all parties," he said.

"But we cannot just blame one side because the other side has also made comments which can cause uneasiness," said Najib.