GUA MUSANG: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said it is important to have a strong opposition in the Kelantan state assembly as it will help balance the administration.
He said in order for this to happen, Barisan Nasional needs to win the Nenggiri state seat by-election.
BN currently has two assemblymen in the 45-seat state assembly.
"This is a contest to find a leader. The Kelantan state assembly is controlled by Pas, and we (BN) have two assemblymen in the state assembly. In other words, there are only two opposition elected representatives in the state assembly.
"If we win in Nenggiri, it will strengthen the party and allow us to provide different views in the state assembly," Johari told reporters after the nominations for the Nenggiri by-election here today.
He joined other BN leaders who accompanied the coalition's candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani who submitted his nomination in the by-election at Dewan Perdana.
Elaborating on the importance of check and balances in Kelantan's legislature, Johari said a strong opposition would highlight matters that the Pas-led state government does not see.
"This is important. Voters in Nenggiri need to elect a leader for this state seat," he said, while advising Umno's machinery to carry out a healthy two-week campaign.
Earlier, Johari joined Deputy Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other leaders during Azmawi's nomination.
Returning Officer for Nenggiri by-election Nik Raisnan Daud today announced a straight fight for the Aug 17 by-election between Azmawi and Pas candidate Mohd Rizwadi Ismail.