PARIS, Oct 5 — Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad, who has served the punishment that was meted out by Umno, was chosen as Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Bagan Pinang by-election because he is capable of winning and very popular among the people, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The Prime Minister, who is also Umno president, told a group of students in France that candidates for by-elections were chosen based on their ability to serve the people effectively and whether they were liked by the people.

Najib said former Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Isa, who was found guilty of breaching party rules, was punished for his offence while he also lost the mentri besar's post and Umno vice-president's post.

However, Isa had remained faithful, served the people and party well throughout that period and that his offence was only a technical matter within the party and did not involve the judiciary, he said.

"The question here is whether he deserves a second chance or not. In our system, even a criminal gets a second chance and can contest the post after serving his or her punishment.

"This (Isa's offence) is only a technical matter in the party and he has already paid for his deeds," said Najib when asked by a student on the decision to pick Isa for the Bagan Pinang by-election.

Najib added that Isa was only contesting a state assembly seat and not a ministerial or menteri besar's seat.

The Bagan Pinang seat, which fell vacant after the death of incumbent Azman Mohammad Noor on Sept 4, will see a straight fight between Isa, 59, and Negri Sembilan PAS commissioner Zulkefly Mohamad Omar, 45. Polling has been fixed for Oct 11. — Bernama