BN NOT taking part in the "political game by the opposition".

Confirmed! BN not contesting Penanti - kiasu !!

Barisan Nasional will not field a candidate for the Penanti state by-election, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak announced.

The decision, so as to focus on public service and the national economy instead of taking part in a "political game by the opposition".

After a three-hour BN council meeting chaired by Najib yesterday afternoon, came as no surprise as Najib had recently said the coalition may not contest the by-election, the sixth after the general election, as it was "a waste of public funds".

"The vacancy was caused by Parti Keadilan Rakyat wanting to solve its internal problem, and it is a political game from the opposition.

"The BN would want to focus on the service to the people and efforts to improve the country's economy, so we have decided not to place a candidate for the by-election."

The seat fell vacant because former Penang Deputy Chief Minister (I), PKR's Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, resigned after reports linked him to a probe by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC). However, the MACC later cleared him of any wrong-doing.

PKR has already named Mansor Othman as its candidate. Nomination day is Saturday (May 23).

Penanti is a state seat under the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat held by PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim.