KOTA LAKSAMANA – Umno Puteri information chief Nooryana Najwa has urged Barisan Nasional (BN) supporters and its election machinery to use the implementation of her father, former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's house arrest as motivation to intensify their campaign efforts and secure victory in the 16th Melaka state election.
Better known as Yana Najib, she said the development had received positive feedback from BN's election machinery, which was relieved that Najib could finally serve the remainder of his prison sentence at home after a prolonged wait.
However, she stressed that the timing of the house arrest decision was not planned to coincide with the state election.
"We did not plan for my father's house arrest to coincide with the Melaka state election.
“However, the announcement has received positive feedback from our machinery, who are happy and grateful that the home detention can finally be implemented, as we have been waiting for this good news for a long time.
"I hope Najib's supporters and BN's machinery will use this development as motivation to strengthen our efforts during the remaining 48 hours of campaigning and ensure BN's victory in Melaka,” she told Sinar Daily when met at a restaurant. here, during the state election campaign.
Najib was granted a conditional pardon in September, allowing him to serve the remainder of his prison sentence in the SRC International Sdn Bhd case under house arrest.
On Nov 10, the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that the former prime minister could serve the remainder of his sentence at his Langgak Duta residence, with immediate effect.
The Election Commission has set Nov 14 as polling day for the state election, following the dissolution of the 28-seat State Legislative Assembly on Sept 23.
Nomination day was held on Oct 31, while early voting took place on Nov 10. The 14-day campaigning period will end at 11.59pm on Nov 13.
A total of 79 candidates are contesting all 28 state constituencies, with a coalition requiring at least 15 seats to secure a simple majority and form the state government.