By Yeng Ai Chun & Priscilla Dielenberg

BUTTERWORTH: Seberang Jaya assemblyman Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah has been picked as the Barisan Nasional candidate to take on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Permatang Pauh by-election.

The sole Barisan representative to retain his state seat in the Permatang Pauh constituency in the previous election cried tears of joy when Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced his name at the Sunway Convention centre here yesterday.

The announcement was made at the end of Najib's speech at the launching of the Permatang Pauh Barisan Nasional election machinery, which was attended by more than 2,000 people.

Najib said this is the first time Barisan had chosen a state assemblyman to contest for a Parliamentary seat.

"Even though it's not a tradition to choose a candidate who is already an assemblyman, it is not an obstacle nor is it against the constitution.

"The Opposition party also has its representatives playing dual roles such as Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. It is not something extraordinary," he said in a press conference.

Najib said one of the reasons for Arif Shah to be picked was that he managed to win the Seberang Jaya state seat, which is among the three state seats under the Permatang Pauh Parliamentary constituency.

The other two state seats, Permatang Pasir and Penanti, are held by PAS and PKR respectively.

"I hope everyone will give his support to the Barisan candidate. I believe in the sincerity of the candidate in bringing victory to Barisan . This is a big test for Barisan and I plead to the election workers to close their ranks and give their full support," he said.