KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today the Barisan Nasional (BN) was ready to contest in the Kota Seputih state by-election if the court rejected its appeal.

Najib, who is also the BN chairman, said BN would respect the court's decision and work according to the system.

"If we can appeal, we will appeal. Whatever the court decides, we have to abide," he told reporters after launching the BioMalaysia 2009 Conference and Exhibition at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, here.

Yesterday, the High Court (Appellate and Special Powers) declared the Kota Siputih state seat in Kedah vacant, saying that Datuk Abu Hassan Sarif was no longer the Barisan Nasional assemblyman after he failed to attend two consecutive meetings of the state legislative assembly without leave, and violated the state constitution.

Justice Alizatul Khair Osman Khairuddin also ordered the Election Commission (EC) to hold a by-election in Kota Siputeh.