No ‘free ride’ for Pakatan in Permatang Pauh

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Penang Umno has vowed not to give Pakatan Rakyat a free "ride" in a by-election if Permatang Pauh MP Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is disqualified.
State Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman said preliminary preparations like checking the electoral roll are in progress.
He said the party is ready to fight for the seat which Anwar, the Opposition Leader, has held for 17 years.
"We will not give (Pakatan) a free win," he said at a press conference today after chairing a state-level committee meeting.
Anwar will learn tomorrow if his appeal against a conviction over a sodomy charge is successful.
Zainal Abidin also said the party will accept the outcome of the Federal Court decision.
He also urged all quarters to respect the decision made by the apex court.
"If Anwar is free, then the people have to accept it; if the decision is no, we will have to accept that too," he said.
On party matters, Zainal Abidin said Umno Penang will be enhancing its service to the people.
He said the party has been receiving complaints from the ground that the people found it difficult to get in touch with elected representatives from Pakatan.
"Penang Umno will help in resolving issues faced by the people if they cannot rely on their own MPs and assemblymen," he said.