DPM: No symphathy for UMNO renegades

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today called on the electorate to show no sympathy for the Umno renegades standing as independent candidates in the 13th general election on Sunday.

He said they were now regarded as the enemies of Umno and the Barisan Nasional (BN).

"The disciplinary committee has expelled them (from the party). They are no longer with Umno, so do not show any sympathy for them.

"I know, the women (members of Wanita Umno) will say they took pity (on these people) ... but there is no forgiveness in elections," he said when addressing a 1Malaysia gathering and launching the Ledang Wanita BN "Blue Wave" electoral campaign at the Foong Yoon Kong Stadium in Bukit Gambir, here.

Also present at the event were Muhyiddin's wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abd Rahman; the BN candidate for the Ledang parliamentary seat, Hamim Samuri; and the BN candidate for the Gambir state seat, M. Asojan.

Asojan is defending the Gambir seat he had held for two terms in a four-cornered contest with Johor PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamed and two independent candidates, Mohd Zan Abu and Yunus Mustakim.

Muhyiddin called on the electorate in the Ledang parliamentary constituency and the Gambir state constituency to support the BN candidates.

He said there was no sympathy in Umno and the BN for renegades contesting as independents, and there was no chance for them to become BN-friendly elected representatives if they won.

"There is no such thing as BN-friendly. This is war. Their expulsion (from Umno) is for life," he said.

Muhyiddin said the BN election machinery should intensify efforts in the two days of campaigning left to ensure a big victory for the coalition's candidates.

"We have to work hard. Our responsibility is to ensure that the voters in the 'white' and 'grey' constituencies come out early on polling day (on Sunday) to vote," he said.

Muhyiddin, who arrived in Bukit Gambir town at about 9 am, went on a walkabout before proceeding to the stadium.

The fine weather enabled him and his wife to meet and chat with the traders and customers in and around the flea market there.