KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan reminded Kemaman voters that a Barisan Nasional victory in the by-election would position Kemaman under the central government.
He said although Pas' candidate Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar had been a capable menteri besar for the state, he would still be in the opposition bloc if he wins the parliamentary seat.
"If the MB wins, he would not be in the government. This is one thing that should be reminded to Kemaman voters.
"The MB will be in opposition if he wins but if Tan Sri wins, Kemaman will be with the government. So do you want to be with the government or opposition?" said Ahmad Maslan who is also the first deputy finance minister.
He added BN's candidate general (R) Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor could be a "bridge" between Terangganu's state government and the federal government.
"This would be the only chance to build the bridge. If the only bridge is burned due to defeat, there would be no other bridge that could connect the state government and central government," he noted.
He also noted that Kemaman had not seen any new development under the Pas administration, unlike during the time when the seat was held by Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek under the BN ticket.
"I can see that all existing development in Kemaman was done under BN's administration. I do not see any new development being implemented by Pas.
"Kemaman was previously held by Shabery Cheek who brought a lot of changes," he added.
The Kemaman parliamentary by-election will see a straight fight between Ahmad Samsuri and Mohamed Affandi.
The parliamentary seat became vacant following the decision of the Terengganu Election Court to annul the victory of Che Alias Hamid during the the 15th General Election after petitioner succeeded in proving that corruption aimed at influencing voters took place during the general election.