Published May 19, 2009

BN won't contest by-election: Najib

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(KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysia's ruling coalition decided yesterday not to contest a special election triggered by an Opposition lawmaker's resignation, but denied that it was cowed by a recent spate of electoral losses.

Prime Minister Najib Razak said his Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition will sit out the May 31 by-election for a seat in a northern state's legislature - the sixth such ballot in less than a year.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) has lost four of five previous by-elections, underscoring its struggle to regain support after March 2008 national polls in which Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's alliance made major inroads.

Another defeat would be bitter for the BN, which is battling public complaints of corruption, economic mismanagement and racial tensions.

The by-election was called after a lawmaker from Mr Anwar's alliance left his assembly seat in northern Penang state recently following unsubstantiated allegations of corruption.

Even if the BN had taken the seat, it would not have affected the balance of power in Penang, one of five states won by the Opposition last year.

After chairing a meeting of the BN's decision-making council, Mr Najib said yesterday that they decided to skip what he called an 'unnecessary' by-election because they wanted to avoid wasting public funds - and not because they feared losing.

The BN has accused the Opposition of playing political games because some of the previous by-elections were also called to fill vacancies sparked by Opposition resignations.

Mr Anwar has previously welcomed the BN's proposal to sit out the Penang by-election, saying it would save effort and resources.

His alliance may now face independent politicians on the ballot. -- AP