Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said Dr Mahathir Mohamad should continue campaigning against Najib since it clearly benefits BN, leading to the coalition's twin victories in the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections.
"The more frequent he campaigns, he more it benefits BN so I hope he will not stop coming down (to campaign)," he was reported by Bernama as saying.
He said this when asked what lessons the ex-PM should heed from yesterday's victories.
The victories proved that the people had rejected Mahathir and the Citizens' Declaration, the PM said.
The prime minister said both by-elections were deemed extraordinary because the opposition, especially Dr Mahathir, had turned the elections into a referendum on Najib's leadership.
"He (Mahathir) has publicly campaigned for voters to reject BN, but BN's wins and increased majority proved that the people had rejected his proposals.
"If the referendum and declaration had received widespread support, it was clear that the support was not interpreted in the results of the Sarawak Election and both the Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar by-elections," he told reporters after the handing over of house keys to flood victims at Tapak Maju Ternak, Kampung Staponal, Batu Jong in Kuala Krai, today.
Yesterday, BN won in the Kuala Kangsar by-election with 6,969-vote majority compared to 1,082-vote majority in the 2013 general election, while in Sungai Besar, BN won with 9,191-vote majority compared to only 399-vote majority in 2013.
Najib, who is also BN chairman and Umno president, said with the victories, the BN government would continue implementing its policies to bring development, prosperity and national stability to the people.
When asked whether he would expedite the 14th general election following the victories in the by-elections, the prime minister said too many things had to be considered before any decision could be made on the matter.
"Let us celebrate our victories for a couple of days, but be sure it won't be long because we have a lot of things to do to continue serving the people.
"I want to remind everyone not to get carried away, we must always be humble and reach out to the people and help them. If we hold on to this principle, the support for BN will be stronger," he said.
'Watch your mouth'
Najib added that the government would do an in-depth analysis on BN's victories in the two by-elections.
Meanwhile, in Pasir Puteh later, Najib expressed regret over the baseless accusations and slander hurled against him throughout the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar parliamentary by-election campaigns.
The Prime Minister who is also UMNO president said he would accept the criticisms with patience, "more so as it is the fasting month for Muslims all over the world".
"Maybe if one is patient, God will accord him victory. Fasting is not just to endure hunger, it is also to watch our mouth," he said at a leaders-community gathering and breaking of fast at Uthmaniyah Umno Complex today.
The gathering was attended by about 10,000 people including International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister Ahmad Jazlan Yakub and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman Annuar Musa.
Najib who represented 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) Foundation at the function also presented haj pilgrimage offer letters to 14 Umno divisional chiefs in Kelantan. -Mkini
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