Najib regrets polling day scuffle
Malaysiakini.com
Aug 26, 2008 

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today expressed disappointment over the scuffle that occurred during polling in the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election today.
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Blaming the opposition, he said: "They brought supporters from outside."

wanita umno with leaders event najib 050808 02"When they met Barisan Nasional supporters they started to act aggressively, so a scuffle ensured. I'm disappointed," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

He said the police would ensure that security was under control during the announcement of the election results tonight.

The deputy premier said that generally, the election proceeded smoothly although the turnout was poor.

According to the Election Commission, 26,914 voters had cast their votes by noon.

The by-election is a three-corner fight between PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, BN’s Arif Shah Omar Shah and Hanafi Mamat of Akim.

The contest has been dubbed the 'mother of all by-elections' as a victory for Anwar will mark his return to Parliament after a 10-year absence.

No temple demolitions

Meanwhile, Najib also dismissed an allegation which is doing the rounds in Permatang Pauh that a temple in Kuantan, Pahang, had been demolished.

The deputy prime minister said he had explained to all the leaders of the Indian community that it was false news.

"I heard (about it) yesterday. We have informed all the leaders of the Indian community, MIC and PPP, and the president of the Hindu Sangam has come out with a statement that the news is not true," he said in an interview on TV3's 1.30pm news bulletin.

Najib is in Permatang Pauh to visit several polling stations in today's by-election.

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