D-Day gets closer for Kuala Terengganu (Kuala Terengganu Election)

The result at the Kuala Terengganu by-election will not immediately change the power balance in the country, but it will be the clearest sign yet of whether Malaysians want reforms to continue, or screech to a stop.

Perhaps, even more critically, it will reflect on the popularity of incoming premier Najib Abdul Razak and the strength of his leadership in the Malay community - the largest ethnic group in the nation.

In the landmark 2008 national polls, Malaysians - in particular younger Malaysians - had rejected the BN’s divide-and-rule approach towards multi-racial governance.

Citing frustration with the BN’s patriarchal and elitist system - which many found stifling - they gave Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and his Pakatan Rakyat 48 percent of the popular vote and control of five of the country’s 13 states.

“KT is significant because it will show whether Malaysians are still rejecting the BN,” said a veteran political analyst.

“In particular, it gauges whether Malaysians, especially the Malays, believe in Najib - if he has done enough or has the will to do enough to rid the country of corruption and suppression.

“Perhaps some think he may actually add to the malpractices? I think everyone already has an opinion, but is just waiting to see if everybody else thinks the same,” he added.

BN onslaught centred on hudud

Both the main contestants for the parliamentary seat - Pakatan and BN - have waged a mighty battle since official campaigning kicked off on Jan 6.

If in the Permatang Pauh by-election held last August, the BN’s main weapon was an alleged sodomy charge against Anwar, this time, its onslaught is centred around the religious issue of hudud and how the Pakatan will force it upon the non-Muslim minorities..

Hudud is Islamic criminal law - feared by non-Muslims because it prescribes archaic punishment, such as stoning to death and amputation of limbs.

“It’s they - the BN - who don’t want Islam,” said Pakatan candidate Abdul Wahid Endut, the KT PAS chief and Wakaf Mempelam assemblyman.

“But the Chinese, they understand because we have told them that hudud law is only for Muslims. There is no issue with them.”

Wahid is pitted against Wan Ahmad Farid, the Umno KT chief who suffered a setback last week when Najib’s mentor - ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad - publicly described him as a ‘snob’ who was unpopular with the local folk.

The 46-year old former deputy home minister has since brushed off the harsh comments, boosted by the presence of a string of Umno bigwigs, such as Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who came to town to help shore up his chances.

Election Goodies vs Frozen Oil Royalties

More importantly, Najib, who is also Finance Minister and BN election director, has been quick to unleash an unending package of election goodies worth hundreds of millions of ringgit.

Said Najib : “An opposition MP can make noise in Parliament, but to bring change and obtain funding, it is clear that the Barisan candidate is more effective than the opposition candidate.”

The DPM was immediately condemned for the comment and accused of making use of public funds to scare KT voters away from the Pakatan. Although today, he told the press that Terengganu stood to get between RM1.6-3.0 billion if the world price of oil rose, few heeded his words.

“Oil price was high in 2007 and 2008, we didn’t get anything then or in the past. Why should we believe him now?,” said a 28-year old bank officer, who has been working in Kuala Lumpur for the past five years. He plans to take leave on Friday and drive back to KT to cast his vote.

In any case, KT folk are an independent lot, having shown before in the past that money is not always their motivating factor.

Many of locals are in fact still furious with Umno and in particular, Mahathir. The former PM, who ruled Malaysia with a fist of iron for 22 years, had sought to punish Terengganu folk for voting in a PAS state government in 1999.

He frozed billions of ringgit of oil royalty payments due to them, causing large parts of the state to remain under-developed, dragged by poverty and economic stagnancy.

It is indeed telling that Wan Ahmad declined to take part in a public debate on the state’s oil revenues, organised by pro-monarchy group Terengganu People’s Solidarity Council (Mampat).

According to disclosures by various officials, the BN federal government still owes the Terengganu people some RM1.6 billion ringgit.

“The Terengganu people want to know about the status of the oil royalties. An open debate will allow voters to elect a candidate who fights for oil royalties,” said Mohd Fauzi, Mampat’s chairman.

Election Goodies vs Extremism

The Chinese community in KT has been the most sought after ethnic group in this by-election.

Although, there are now some early signs that Pakatan has pulled slightly ahead, many pundits believe the vote is still evenly split amongst the KT Malays, who form 88 percent of electorate.

This means that the Chinese voters, who make up 11 percent of the electorate, may ultimately decide the winner.

Already, the election largesse offered by the Umno-led BN is starting to make headway, with some local Chinese leaders calling on the close-knit community to disregard the Pakatan.

“The government is rich and has been fair in distributing the state’s wealth. There may be problems faced by the Chinese in other states but not here,” said Terengganu Chinese Assembly Hall president Foo Chih Wan, who backs BN partner - the MCA.

But this time, Foo and his followers may not be able to convince the rest of the KT Chinese, who have been watching developments in the rest of the country and want the same brand of multi-racial reforms promised by the Pakatan to sweep their state.

Some in the community also questioned the recent outbursts from Umno leaders such as Mukhriz Mahathir and Ahmad Ismail, fearing they represented rising extremism in Umno - an even more scary prospect than hudud law.

Election Goodies vs Vernacular Schools

Mukhriz recently called for the abolition of vernacular schools, while Ahmad Ismail had described Malaysian Chinese as immigrants.

The recent sacking of popular Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim and the sudden arrests of DAP lawmaker Teresa Kok, Chinese journalist Tan Hoon Cheng and popular blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin under the oppressive Internal Security Act were other causes of concern.

But the main grouse among the KT Chinese lies in the BN’s refusal to revert the teaching of Mathematics and Science at vernacular primary schools from English to Mandarin.

This despite a drastic drop in standards since 2003, when the BN switched the medium of education from mother tongue to English.

The 2007 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study survey released last month showed Malaysian students took 20th spot for Mathematics versus 10th placing in 2003, and fell to 21st position from 20th in Science.

“The politicians from Umno and MCA have come to visit us. They promised a lot of things, a lot of development,” said a KT housewife with three school-going children.

“But what we care most about is our children’s education. If this deterioration continues, how can they find good jobs in the future. If this is now the standard of our education, I dare not think where it will be in 10 years time.”

- suarakeadilan.com

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Pakatan scoffs at BN's slogan change (Kuala Terengganu Election)

Barisan Nasional's (BN) decision to become more aggressive in its campaign for the Kuala Terengganu seat just four days before the polling day has begun to attract attention, but Pakatan Rakyat (PR) officials described it as a sign the ruling coalition was trailing in the race.

New posters with the words "Pas Kluk Klek" have been put up across town here, in an effort to label the PR component member a "flip-flop" party.

BN election director Datuk Seri Najib Razak had kicked off the more aggressive campaign on Monday night by saying Pas was a party which changed its colours to suit the politics of the day, in an indication that its original tagline of Cakna Rakyat, which means to care for the people, had failed to fire up the imagination of voters here.
According to an Umno official, the new campaign theme has always been part of the plan, and he denied the change meant the party has failed in convincing the Kuala Terengganu voters.

"We have already planned to only be offensive in the last four days before polling," he told The Malaysian Insider.

Pas research centre head Dr Dzulkifli Ahmad said BN's original Cakna Rakyat theme Mesra Rakyat was a mistake in the first place, as BN was later forced to defend the character of its candidate Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Salleh, who was accused of being arrogant by his critics.

"You can see on the billboards, posters of the candidate and the Menteri Besar, to show how close they are to the people. They were forced to do it because of the perception on Wan Farid," said the Kuala Selangor MP.

"Maybe they realize that they are trailing, they believe they need another tagline, but this time it is not about their strength or the candidate's," said Dzulkifli.
But he said that demonizing Pas would not work.

"Whether the method is going to work or not, they are taking a very big risk. Obviously they are targeting the Malay voters, as we have covered the Chinese voters," he told The Malaysian Insider.

PKR strategist Saifuddin Nasution said the changing of message shows that something was not right in BN's campaign.

"We are already in the second half, and Pas is still consistent with the message of change, so the issue of Pas being a flip-flop party does not arise. The party is much clearer and organized in planning for the election," Said the Machang MP.

Even before the campaigning period started, Pas leaders had started attacking BN for its failure to fairly distribute wealth from the oil royalty and for extravagant projects such as the annual Monsoon Cup yachting race and the construction of the multi-million ringgit Crystal Mosque and the Islamic Civilizational Park.

"In any campaign when you are forced to be defensive it shows that you are in trouble," Saifuddin told The Malaysian Insider.

- themalaysianinsider.com

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Poll finds KT vote still too close to call (Kuala Terengganu Election)

The Kuala Terengganu by-election remains too close to call, even as the campaign reaches the home stretch, but an independent poll released today suggests the major issue for voters is the "quality of the candidate" while hudud and perceived threats to Malay dominance have little currency.

According to the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research, the Malay vote was evenly split with about 8 per cent undecided, while the Chinese are leaning slightly towards Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

There were also marked differences in Malay and Chinese voters' sentiment. The Malays, who make up a majority in the constituency, appeared to see Islam as a major issue, while the Chinese, considered an important swing vote, consider equality an important factor.

A majority of Malay respondents did not feel there were any threats to their community's political dominance, even after the results of the general election last March. Instead the Malay voters appeared to be more concerned with the corruption of political leaders.

While this Saturday's poll will not make any significant difference to the balance of power in Parliament, it is considered crucial for PR to reinvigorate its flagging momentum while Barisan Nasional (BN) will want to press home a victory to reinforce its believe that it has recovered from the poor results of the last general election.

The Merdeka Centre survey found that a majority of voters in the Malay-majority constituency felt that things in the country and state of Terengganu were headed in the right direction.

But a significant number of respondents also felt that a win for a non-BN candidate could send a signal to the government for change.

However, upon closer scrutiny the survey found that Chinese voter sentiments were more subdued, with respect to the direction of the country, only 36per cent of Chinese respondents agreed that it was in "the right direction" and were split at 50per cent with respect to the direction of the state of Terengganu.

At the same time, 70per cent of Malay voters said that "things were in the right direction" for the state of Terengganu.

When given a list of issues that they feel government should pay attention to, respondents chose "controlling inflation" (21per cent), "strengthening the position of Islam" (26per cent) and "bringing continued development" (16per cent) as most important. Among Chinese voters however, 51per cent wanted the government "to treat non-Malay communities more fairly" and a further 11per cent cited "fighting corruption".

"Reflecting perhaps the developments surrounding the selection of the respective contesting candidates, the survey found that voters were more intense in considering candidate quality over other factors such as issues, contesting parties or party leaders," the Merdeka Centre said in a press release accompanying the results of the survey.

The survey was conducted by telephone with 527 registered voters. A total of 408 of the respondents were Malays while 119 were Chinese. The poll was conducted between January 7 and January 11.

The survey found that 80per cent of voters remarked candidate quality as "very important" as opposed to 59per cent and 71per cent for current issues and party capability, respectively.

Among the Chinese respondents however, the issue of fair treatment for non-Bumiputras appeared to have strong currency.

75per cent strongly or somewhat agreed that by electing a non-BN candidate, the community could send a strong signal to the BN ruling government.

To another question, 56per cent of Chinese respondents and 46per cent of Malay respondents agreed that voting for the Pakatan Rakyat could push the BN government to "correct itself".

The issue of Hudud captured the notice of only one-half of the Chinese voters in Kuala Terengganu. Only 18per cent of the Chinese voters interviewed remarked that the issue plays a "very important", while a further 32per cent saying "somewhat important" role in the election.

The survey found that issues pertaining to perceived threats to Malay political power did not resonate in the Malay dominant constituency. Only 17per cent agreed that "Malay political power was weakened by demands made by non Malay communities after the March 8th 2008 general elections" while 74per cent felt that "Malay political power was weakened by corrupt and self serving leaders".

The Merdeka Centre said it found it difficult to ascertain the voting intention of voters in the district at the time the poll was conducted.

"Based on observations on the data collected, the survey believes that the Malay vote at the point in time the survey was conducted to be split with a small margin of voters, perhaps around 8per cent still remaining undecided. Tendencies among Chinese voters were also difficult to gauge but observations on responses towards issues indicate a slight leaning in favour of the opposition."

- themalaysianinsider.com

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Raja Petra stumps for PAS (Kuala Terengganu Election)

Controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, recently released from detention, is such a famous figure, he gets curious stares everywhere he goes in Kuala Terengganu.

Some locals even ask to be photographed with the blogger, sporting his trademark beret and pipe.

Raja Petra is in town to campaign for Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) candidate Abdul Wahid Endut, ahead of the Kuala Terengganu by-election on Saturday.

Mr Wahid is up against Umno's Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh and an independent. The by-election was called after Umno MP Razali Ismail died in November last year.

'I am neutral, but I subscribe to certain aspects of the opposition such as bringing reforms to Malaysia,' said Raja Petra, 58, who does not belong to any political party.

He runs the Malaysia Today website, which publishes his hard-hitting columns that take on the most powerful politicians in Malaysia.

Three other political bloggers have joined him in campaigning for the opposition in Kuala Terengganu as well as in cyberspace.

Although Kuala Terengganu is too rural to be Internet-savvy, Raja Petra said he has met voters who are familiar with his writings. His postings are frequently distributed as leaflets in the villages.

The opposition's focus is the 8,000-plus Chinese voters said to hold the key to this election, as the Malay vote is split.

Raja Petra speaks at one or two rallies nearly every night, and also to smaller groups of voters, to whom he talks about PAS and the Islamic state.

'When the voters see that we are not Taleban and we support PAS, it gives us a chance to explain things to them,' he said.

His message blends well with the opposition campaign, which is focusing on recent controversies such as those raised by Umno Youth chief aspirant Mukhriz Mahathir's call to turn vernacular schools into national ones, and a Penang Umno leader's description of the Chinese as immigrants.

A PAS banner has gone up in the Chinese area labelling Umno as extreme. Leaflets have also gone out showing a picture of Penang Umno leaders tearing up a poster of Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon after he protested against the description of the Chinese as immigrants.

Still, it is not certain to what extent this will mean more votes for the PAS candidate. In the March general election, 65 per cent of the Chinese votes went to Barisan Nasional (BN).

But this time, the Chinese are turning up at opposition rallies by the hundreds. At the rally last Saturday, many were seen stuffing RM50 (S$21) notes into the donation boxes.

They cheered for the PAS candidate in his robes and skull cap, and were wowed by the star speaker, Ms Nurul Izzah Anwar, the daughter of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

There is some euphoria in the opposition camp, which believes there has been a swing in its favour. But it is also aware there is a week still to go.

- mt.m2day.org

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DAP operations centre closes down (Kuala Terengganu Election)

The DAP bilek gerakan (operations centre) in Kampong China, Kuala Terengganu, was ordered to close by the state government. DAP was told that the order came from the Terengganu Menteri Besar.

Soon after that a police patrol car arrived and the police officer demanded Raja Petra Kamarudin’s identity card. Raja Petra refused to hand over his identity card and demanded to know why they wanted it. The police officer replied that it was an order ‘from the top’.

Raja Petra still refused to comply and asked that the superior officer ‘from the top’ come there himself if he wanted his identity card. The police officer then went back to the patrol car to radio his superior officer.

Raja Petra followed the police officer to the patrol car and told them that he did not have his identity card with him and that they can arrest him if they wanted to. The police officers just drove off without any further action.

- mt.m2day.org

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Avoid overconfidence, Anwar tells Pakatan's KT campaign (Kuala Terengganu Election)

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today warned against overconfidence in the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ranks despite encouraging signs for the Pas candidate in the Kuala Terengganu by-election campaign.

With the Barisan Nasional (BN) campaign appearing disjointed and Chinese voters ready to swing to PR, the de facto PKR chief called on the tripartite alliance to "work as hard as possible as we are facing a slanted media and hundreds of millions being poured into the campaign" by their opponents.

Anwar has long accused the BN government of fixing the electoral process and claimed that PR would have won last year's general elections had the contest been a fair one.
"They are the first underdog in history who control the media and have the most funds," he said when asked to comment on Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Khir Toyo's statement that BN candidate Datuk Wan Farid Wan Salleh was the underdog in the campaign.

"It is as if only one party is contesting," he said of certain news sources.

"Frankly, I do not know," he replied when asked if he agreed with some analysts who considered the battle a 50-50 affair.

His reasoning, he said, was based on the fact that while many were of the opinion that the 11 per cent Chinese electorate would give their vote to Pas candidate and Wakaf Mempelam assemblyman Abdul Wahid Endut, the majority of voters were Malay and they were still the main factor in deciding the winner.

- themalaysianinsider.com

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Surviving perception for Wan Farid (Kuala Terengganu Election)

POOR Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh. Much has been made of his looks and demeanour in an election where perception could turn out to mean everything.

As the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate in the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election, Wan Farid has been advised to smile more and behave less snobbishly. In this semi-urban east coast constituency, people want their elected representative to be friendly, accessible, and to possess the human touch.

Though a local boy, the 46-year-old former lawyer grew up in a privileged family of civil servants. During the campaigning, remarks have been passed that he should wear the kain pelikat (sarong) more when canvassing among the locals. He's also been advised to not be afraid to sit on the floor of homes to show that he is one of them.

Perception problems

Another perception problem Wan Farid faces is his links to outgoing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. He was the premier's political secretary for four years, before being appointed senator and made deputy home minister after the March 2008 general election. He has since resigned from both positions to contest in the Kuala Terengganu by-election.

Additionally, it didn't help the BN campaign when former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad described Wan Farid as Abdullah's proxy.

Wan Farid also got caught in the web of allegations that Abdullah's cronies were given the contracts to build the Pulau Duyong marine facilities to host the annual Monsoon Cup sailing competition, and the Islamic theme park on Pulau Wan Man.


Wan Farid with Abdullah at a press conference after the PM launched
the BN Terengganu election machinery on 8 Jan His candidacy has appeared to put BN on the defensive in this campaign. Top leaders including Abdullah and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak have been giving one explanation after another on Wan Farid's perceived aloofness, the proxy allegation, and his capabilities as a first-time candidate.


Development gains

Wan Farid's campaign message rides on the BN's development track record. He is positioned as a representative who will be able to help the electorate because of the government machinery behind him.

Najib has also promised that Wan Farid will be reappointed as a deputy minister if he wins this election. The message to voters is that Wan Farid, as a deputy minister, would have better access to federal help than a PAS Member of Parliament (MP).

However, his former ministerial post is being used against him in Pakatan Rakyat ceramah. The opposition alliance has used blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, who was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), to speak against Wan Farid, although it is the home minister who signs detention orders.

"If he wins and becomes deputy home minister again, he will sign orders to detain people like you and me under ISA," Raja Petra told a largely Chinese crowd at a ceramah in Bandar Baru, Pulau Kambing on 9 Jan.


Wan Farid greets members of the Chinese Malaysian community

Internal factionalism

Politically, the former senator and deputy home minister has never contested an election, whether at state or parliamentary level

In Umno, Wan Farid is the party's two-term Kuala Terengganu division chief. He won the post uncontested the second time in divisional elections in July 2008. Despite this show of Umno grassroots unity, factionalism within the division has given the opposition PAS leverage to run down his candidacy.

PAS has drawn comparisons between Wan Farid and the previous MP and deputy education minister, Datuk Razali Ismail, whose death in November 2008 forced this by-election. Razali was liked for his efforts to improve education in the state. He beat his PAS contender, the popular Mohamad Sabu, in the 2008 general election by a slim majority of 628 votes.

During the campaign, Wan Farid has been forced to say that as division chief, he never sidelined Razali, who ran for the division's vice-chief post but lost to Wan Farid's brother, Datuk Wan Hisham Wan Salleh.

Thus, the BN's announcement of Wan Farid as their candidate two weeks ahead of nomination day on 6 Jan was seen as a move to give the factions time to cool down and unite.

Wan Farid has denied any internal rivalry and said his early candidacy gave him an edge to know voters better. He will face PAS's Abdul Wahid Endut and independent Azharudin Mamat @ Adam in the 17 Jan polls.


Wan Farid meets voters in Kuala Bekah in the PAS stronghold of the Wakaf Mempelam state seat

The Nut Graph managed to interview Wan Farid, who is the father of six girls, on a campaign stop. He was at a kampung in Kuala Bekah, where a Rural and Regional Development Ministry function was being held on 10 Jan.

TNG: If you become MP, how do you propose to eradicate poverty and improve living conditions for the poor in Kuala Terengganu?

Wan Farid: I have discovered while on the campaign trail that people want more opportunities. They do not know that we have so many facilities and so many things they can participate in. My concern is to make sure they are well informed of these opportunities.

The Terengganu government has decided not to pursue the wang ehsan (oil royalties) civil suit (filed when PAS was the state government) against the federal government. Do you agree?

The matter is closed. The moment the federal government returned the royalty, the case has become academic.

But there are disputes over the figures. The royalties have not been fully returned.

The opposition is making [it out] as if the federal government is taking advantage of the state government. With the final payment of RM408 million in December, everything has been settled. There are no arrears anymore.

What kind of personal advantages do you have over the other candidates, which aren't related to you representing the BN?

I was in Parliament, in the Dewan Negara for three years. And for the last nine months I was a member of the administration. I've appeared in both Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara.


Still on his rounds in Kuala BekahYour stand on hudud law.

I don't think it's an issue.

The opposition is using your post as former deputy home minister against you. What is your stand on the ISA?

In government, we cannot have individual [positions] on policies. Whoever speaks against me individually must also understand that you can't have a different view as a member of the administration.

You want to speak about this, you must understand parliamentary democracy, must understand how the cabinet works, must understand collective responsibility. Okay, if they want to attack me on this, it means they don't understand parliamentary democracy.

Should the ISA be at least reviewed?

My stand is parallel with the government's. It is good as it is. Preventive law has mechanisms and safeguards, which people don't talk about. They only talk about the so-called repressive law.

You can see, recently, whoever was arrested under the ISA could go to court and apply for habeas corpus, and there were instances where the court allowed the application. We have the necessary safeguards.

Is being the former deputy home affairs minister a liability to your campaign because of the issues the opposition is raising?

No, it's not a liability at all. Because I appear on TV almost every alternate day when Parliament is in session and the people of Terengganu know me.

Are you a reluctant candidate because you stand to lose so much in your political career?

I'm not a reluctant candidate. In politics, it's not about you. It's about the people you represent.

If you lose, what are your plans?

I'm not going to talk about that. It's premature.

- thenutgraph.com

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Wahid's likeability factor (Kuala Terengganu Election)

THOUGH PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang claims divine intervention in his selection of the party's candidate for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election, there could be a more earthly, tactical reason. There is a story about the candidate, Abdul Wahid Endut, which illustrates the warm ties he has with his party's arch-rival, Umno, and why he spells trouble for them.

While Wahid, 51, was an executive councillor in the PAS-led Terengganu government from 1999 to 2004, he represented then Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, at a federal-level event held in the state. Wahid even read out Nazri's speech.

The incident raised eyebrows a little, as ministers from the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government would normally send their deputy, or a senior ministry official, in their stead.

But Nazri, who confirmed the story with The Nut Graph, shrugs off the fact that a PAS assemblyperson spoke on his behalf. Wahid was the executive councillor in charge of entrepreneurs in the state at the time.

"Sure, he's from PAS, but so what? He was handling my ministry's portfolio in the state and we worked well together," Nazri says.

Umno family members

Wahid is so well-liked by Malay voters, who form 88.3% of voters in the KT constituency, that his candidacy may give the electorate a tough time in deciding who to support, local observers note. The Malay Malaysian vote is said to be split down the middle between PAS and Umno.

The five-term assemblyperson in the Wakaf Mempelam state seat, a PAS stronghold, also has a large extended family, some of whom are Umno members, a source says. In rural Malay areas, this could number between 100 and 300 people, sometimes more.

However, the PAS campaign is not highlighting Wahid's family ties with Umno. "We don't want his family members to be harassed," the source says.


Wahid's family. He has nine children (Pic from PAS leaflet)

PAS trumpets the fact that Wahid has never lost an election for his seat in the last five terms, and that he is hugely popular in the two other state seats held by PAS, Batu Burok and Ladang. The fourth state seat, Bandar, is a Chinese Malaysian area and held by the MCA.

Though unknown at the national level, Wahid is the party's state treasurer and chief of the PAS Kuala Terengganu division. Casual chit-chat with people here indicates that Wahid is genuinely liked for his affable personality.

Wahid will face the BN's former deputy home affairs minister Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, 47, from Umno, and an independent candidate, traditional medicine practitioner Azharudin Mamat @ Adam, 46. Polling is on 17 Jan. The by-election was necessitated by the death of the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP), deputy education minister Datuk Razali Ismail from the BN.

Wahid packs a tireless schedule, running from one PAS markas and peti undi to another throughout the constituency to meet party workers. He drops in on voters' homes, mingles with them at markets, and tops each day off with a ceramah circuit at night.

Wahid has been consistent in carrying the Pakatan Rakyat's overall campaign message, which is to "teach BN a lesson" for "their arrogance, their corruption­" — the list of sins goes on.

His message: that the by-election is about denying the BN one more seat in Parliament. With Razali's death, the ruling coalition has 137 of 222 seats. Of the balance in the opposition bloc, PAS has 22 seats. Together with its Pakatan Rakyat partners, the alliance will have 81 seats if PAS wins this by-election. Four more seats are held by others: two by the Sabah Progressive Party or SAPP, one by Parti Sosialis Malaysia, and one independent.


Speaking at a ceramah in Kg Cina together with other Pakatan Rakyat leaders

"This election won't change the BN's power balance in Parliament, but it will make our voice stronger," Wahid repeats at ceramahs and whenever he is asked by reporters what this by-election means for PAS.

He brushes off suggestions that he won't be able to handle the workload of being both an MP and an assemblyperson. "My state constituents know me well enough already. I've won five times; that is my bonus."

Wahid also fends off jibes that he is representing a political alliance that has severe differences on core issues like hudud, besides rifts across party lines in the administration of Pakatan Rakyat-led states.

"We are like pengantin baru (a newlywed couple) who are still getting to know each other. Differences are normal," he says.

He turns the hudud tables back on Umno. "It's they who don't want Islam. But the Chinese, they understand because we've told them that hudud law is only for Muslims. It is already a law passed by the state government (under PAS) in Terengganu, so there is no issue for them."

The law was gazetted but never enforced when PAS was in power in the state. The BN won back Terengganu in 2004.

Chinese Malaysian ties

Wahid also trumps his past position as entrepreneur exco as evidence of his good ties with the 8,787 Chinese Malaysian voters. "I dealt with the local Chinese Chamber of Commerce and businesses, they all know me." He also believes Chinese Malaysians remember him from his attempt to contest the Bandar state seat in 1986, although he lost.

At a ceramah with a sizeable Chinese Malaysian audience, Wahid attempts to endear himself. "I have a sibling who married a Hong Kong Chinese, so I'm very comfortable with all of you. I could even look Chinese if I take off my kopiah," he quips.


Wahid gets chummy with a local in Kg Cina, while accompanied by Anwar Ibrahim (foreground)

How is Wahid being received by this segment of the electorate? It depends who you ask. Locals affiliated with the MCA shake their heads. "Who is he? He was friendly with us when he stood in Bandar, but after he lost he forgot about us," says a businessperson who is also a local MCA committee member.

But fence-sitters or those with opposition leanings aren't bothered about whether they know Wahid or not. Judging from their reactions at the nightly ceramah, they appear moved by the slew of issues the Pakatan Rakyat campaign has imported from outside the state that touch on their Chinese Malaysian sensitivities.

The opposition is also using their superstars like DAP national adviser Lim Kit Siang, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Internal Security Act (ISA) icons Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, and blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin to woo the Chinese Malaysian crowd. In Malay ceramahs, PAS trots out its respected spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who is a big draw with the locals.

It indicates that to a large extent, the choice of candidates is an influential factor here. But this may matter less than the parties they represent, the prevailing national sentiment on racial and economic issues, and the larger-than-life presence of opposition leaders.

- thenutgraph.com

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Ezam who? - Anwar (Kuala Terengganu Election)

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today refused to acknowledge allegations by former political secretary Ezam Mohd Noor that the former deputy prime minister had tried to make peace with then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed shortly after being sacked in 1998.

"Who?" he repeated as he cupped a hand to his ear when asked about Ezam's claim made during the Kuala Terengganu by-election campaign.

"We are in 2009, that was in 1998. He waited 11 years to think of this," Anwar told reporters in Parliament today, refusing to confirm or deny the allegations.

"You can ask him," he said of the existence of any evidence, "but I have never responded to him. I will not give him any recognition," the Permatang Pauh MP added.

Ezam had claimed that he has in his possession solid evidence to prove that Anwar had instructed him to contact Dr Mahathir.

"I am waiting for his reply before I can reveal the evidence, which Anwar cannot deny," the former PKR Youth chief had said.

Ezam, had joined Umno last year soon after Dr Mahathir himself had left the party, claiming that Anwar will stop at nothing to become prime minister and has betrayed the Malays.

- Malaysian Insider

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Pas wants full disclosure of oil royalty before KT polls (Kuala Terengganu by Election)

Sensing a Barisan Nasional (BN) campaign in the Kuala Terengganu by-election on the backfoot, Pas now wants details of Terengganu's oil royalty payments to be made public.

When Pas was in government in the state from 1999-2004, the party had filed a suit against the BN federal government after it withdrew the 5 per cent royalty and instead converted it at a lower quantum into Wang Ehsan (compassionate fund) for Terengganu citizens in 2000.

In June last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi announced that the government would revert back to the 5 per cent royalty and allow the state administration to manage the funds.

"Why the inconsistency? Tell us the truth of the matter. First there was no oil royalty but now there is," Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang told reporters in Parliament today.

He added that BN must disclose all details of the amount payable to the state as this was a core issue for voters in Kuala Terengganu.

The current by-election, said to be too close to call when campaigning began, now appears to be shifting towards Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and Pas appears keen to press home on the issue of oil royalty in light of uncertainty with regards to the economy.

The party's research chief Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad added that there was a discrepancy between the RM7.364 billion that Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator Datuk Amirsham Aziz said had been paid to the state from March 2004 to March 2007 and the amount that the party has been keeping track of.

"Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said says there is still a shortfall of RM1.5 billion not yet paid but the actual amount is at least RM2.5 billion," he insisted.

The Kuala Selangor MP added that Ahmad said that the "issue is closed" so as to sidestep the issue.

Abdul Hadi further called for a special committee to be set up in the state assembly to study details of the RM7.364 billion claimed by the federal government.

- Malaysian Insider

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BN is ‘path of least resistance’, Najib tells civil servants (Kuala Terengganu Election)

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today he would give the most appropriate consideration to requests from civil servants when he becomes the prime minister soon.

The deputy prime minister said the government was fully committed to meeting any request if it could accommodate it, as was the case under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the prime ministers before him.

“We are also sensitive to the needs of the civil servants. So long as we are able, we will assist civil servants. Believe me, in the future too, civil servants will be taken care of well by the government,” he said at a meeting with federal and Terengganu government staff at Wisma Darul Iman, here.

Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said, State Secretary Datuk Mokhtar Nong and the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election, Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, were also present at the function.

Najib said, however, that for the government to consider their requests, civil servants should continue to support the BN government which had assisted them all this while.

“I am determined to continue with the good work done by Pak Lah (Abdullah) and the previous prime ministers so that Malaysia continues to remain a successful nation and the pride of the world community, particularly Muslims.

“We can do it provided we elect the people who have the capability. The road of least resistance is to elect a BN government,” he said, adding that it would be easier for the BN federal government to work with BN governments in the states.

He also said that Malaysians, including civil servants, should be thankful that they were able to lead a good life compared to the people in strife-torn countries like Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq.

“At least, when we awaken in the morning, we can look forward to going to work. For the people in some countries, they are unsure whether there is a tomorrow,” he said.

- Malaysian Insider
www.themalaysianinsider.com

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My candidate, your problem (Kuala Terengganu Election)

Whenever the US Fed and Treasury officials were facing financial crises, they tended to tell their counterparts from Europe and beyond that the dollar was “our currency, your problem”.

For the current Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election campaign, if I am allowed to speculate about what is in the minds of Umno’s No. 1 and No. 2, I can hear Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi telling his deputy and successor Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak that Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Salleh is “my candidate, your problem”.

Most observers agree that Wan Farid is a problem for Barisan Nasional. Despite being the chairman of Kuala Terengganu Umno division, this is the first time Wan Farid is contesting.

Before the March 8 general election last year, he was the political secretary to Abdullah in the latter’s capacity as Home Minister. Wan Farid was later appointed a senator – a non-elected position – until last week when he resigned to contest in the by-election.

Wan Farid comes from a well-to-do family and previously ran a successful legal practice. Such a resume from any Malay politician usually draws admiration.

But in his case, Kuala Terengganu folk talk about him as if he is “too big time for a small town”. This was what I heard a lot during some coffee shop chats I had with the locals in the constituency last week.

More damning is his association with Abdullah, his son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin and the former mentri besar, Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, who is also closely linked with the Prime Minister.

All these patrons were powerful and, before the 2008 general election, it must have been great to be associated with them.

The only problem now is, it’s 2009 and a leader such as Idris is now remembered as the big spender of Terengganu’s oil wealth on “white elephant” projects.

The Crystal Mosque – some say it cost the taxpayers RM50 million while others claim RM250 million – can be seen by everyone crossing the main bridge linking two sides of the Terengganu river but it rarely attracts visitors. It is so near for the eyes to see but too far and troublesome for ordinary folks to take a boat ride to the island for prayers.

While some opposition leaders claim the Islamic Civilisation Centre which houses the Crystal Mosque and 21 replica mosques representing, among others, Baitul Maqdis’ Al-Aqsa, Medina’s Prophet mosque and Spain’s Al-Hambra, costs RM500 million, the official government figure puts it at RM249.3 million.

Whatever the true figure is, to many people, it’s a lot of money for a state that is still considered poor.

The multi-million ringgit annual Monsoon Cup event also draws flak from locals as very little economic benefits spill over to them.

Here is where Wan Farid is particularly vulnerable. His brother Datuk Wan Hisham is not only the man behind the elitist event but also the politician who defeated the late Datuk Razali Ismail in the Umno divisional election for the position of deputy chairman.

Razali was well liked by most in the constituency, partly because of his mild demeanour, which contrasted sharply with Wan Farid, whom many consider arrogant. It might be just his serious facial expression. But politics is about perception.

Razali was a teacher who worked his way up the power ladder from humble beginnings. His tenure as State Education Director and later as Chairman of the Higher Education Fund endeared him to many students and teachers.

In the old world of Umno, apart from a handful of aristocrats, the party was essentially led by teachers and Razali was probably one of the very last of that breed.

The capital of Terengganu, like other state capitals, is home to many civil servants and teachers. In the old days, the spouse of a civil servant was likely a teacher if she was in the workforce.

The experience of the 2008 election has shown that the influence of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was mainly among Malay civil servants, teachers and business people in the urban centres.

Kuala Terengganu, the most urban of all seats in Terengganu, is receptive to Mahathir’s ideas, especially when he speaks like an anti-establishment figure.

Clearly for Dr Mahathir and a host of other Malays, including some Umno members, Wan Farid is not the right candidate for the by-election.

Najib now has the unenviable task of selling an unmarketable product at hand. The outcome will be seen as a referendum on Najib and defeat will not augur well for Najib’s premiership.

Perhaps someone within Barisan hopes to engineer a BN defeat to derail Najib’s path to the top.

- Malaysian Insider
www.themalaysianinsider.com

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Pas slams Utusan again for ‘intentional mistake’ (Kuala Terengganu Election)

The Umno-owned Malay daily Utusan Malaysia is embroiled in another controversy with the opposition as Pas today accused Mingguan Malaysia, Utusan’s weekend edition, of manipulating Abdul Wahid Endut’s words on BN’s Datuk Razali Ismail.

In an interview with the Pas’s candidate in the crucial Kuala Terengganu by-election published today, the weekly quoted Abdul Wahid as saying: “I know Allahyarham (the late) Razali. Allahyarham was a professional and practised corruption.”

The Islamist party election director Datuk Mustafa Ali claimed that Abdul Wahid had said Razali did not practise corruption.

“The word tidak was deliberately omitted. This was a deliberate mistake, I hope Utusan will apologise and retract the report before we take further action because this is not right,” said the Terengganu Pas chief.

“We know that the media has been siding with the government and the decision was made by the powers that be,” he said, “but this was intentional.”

In the by-election where Abdul Wahid is running against BN’s Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Salleh and an independent Azharudin Adam, Pas has refrained from criticising Razali, whose death forced the by-election to be called, as the former state education director was an influential figure in the constituency and BN’s victory in 2004 and the last general election in Kuala Terengganu was attributed to Razali’s popularity.

When asked what action would be taken against Utusan, Mustafa said the party would discuss the matter with its legal advisers, but hoped that the daily would apologise before polling day.

He also brushed aside a suggestion to boycott the Malay daily, saying that it would not solve the problem.

“What we demand is accurate reporting. Do not mislead. If they disagree, just don’t report,” said Mustafa.

The Pakatan Rakyat coalition has frequently accused Utusan of misreporting and misleading the public. In August last year, the daily published a report accusing DAP’s Teresa Kok of demanding that a mosque stop making the call for prayers, which subsequently led to the arrest of the Selangor state executive councillor under the Internal Security Act.

On the campaigning by BN, Mustafa alleged that the ruling party has been abusing government machinery to promote hatred and racism.

He claimed that a government agency had recently organised a seminar for religious teachers to discuss Malay supremacy and other sensitive matters.

- Malaysian Insider
www.themalaysianinsider.com

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Pakatan presents united front on stormy night (Kuala Terengganu Election)

Amid a biting wind blowing in from the South China Sea and short but sharp spells of rain marking the monsoon season, a crowd gathered last night in Chinatown here, at an open air parking lot roughly half the size of a football field.

They came to follow a series of speeches organised by the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) campaigning for Abdul Wahid Endut in the current by-election here.

Young and old, Chinese and Malays, in groups and alone, they came. Some even brought their own plastic stools.

Most, however, stood between the cars and the big puddles, umbrella in hand, listening intently as one after the other, the speakers from DAP, PKR and Pas took to the stump.

1001pakatan09.jpgForemost among the speakers last night was the princess of reformasi and daughter of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim: Nurul Izzah. She showed up in her bright blue baju kurung, standing in the back of a lorry lit by fluorescent lamp.

She lacked the oratory skills of her father. But the crowd paid attention as she spoke to them about the fight for justice.

She pointed out the unfairness of the system, recounting how on the same night Kuala Lumpur, police had arrested participants of a candlelight vigil for the Palestinian people in Gaza being battered by Israel.

She implored the people of Kuala Terengganu to make a choice for change on polling day on Jan 17.

As she spoke, the mainly Chinese crowd listened. Some nodded their heads.

After 15 minutes, Nurul Izzah left, rushing off to another ceramah elsewhere. But others stepped up to take her place.

1001pakatan01.jpgThe highlight of the night was the candidate himself. Wahid’s popularity seems to be growing, especially among the Chinese crowd.

The five-term assemblyman for Wakaf Mempelam got them laughing with his tale of how Datuk Ahmad Said used to challenge him to boxing duels outside the state legislative assembly before he became Terengganu Menteri Besar.

But his tone turned serious in the blink of an eye.

In recounting past incidents at public rallies in Batu Enam, Batu Rakit and Batu Buruk where the authorities had used tear gas and even fired live bullets to disperse the crowd, Wahid drew parallels between the local situation and the Palestine-Israel conflict in Gaza now.

“What is the difference between the people of Terengganu getting shot at and the people of Palestine getting shot by Jews?” he asked.

The crowd went silent.

Malaysia Today blogger, Raja Petra Kamarudin, attracted almost as much attention with his talk on racism in Malaysia and how he, too, is a victim, despite being a Malay.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok almost stole the show with her speech on the politics of fear, heavily punctuated with humour that belied her grave face.

She reminded them how last year’s independent candidate for the General Election had campaigned on a bicycle and “cycled away with 600 votes”.

Kok asked the crowd not to believe what the BN said.

Repeating a rumour that a minister had “advised” the civil servants that action would be taken against them if they voted PR, she pointed out that it was a trick, that every vote was secret and remained so; that the Election Commission burns the sealed ballot papers half a year after election and the MPs from both sides witness the ceremony.

She implored the voting community to give their votes to PR.

“So pitiful,” said a Malay lady selling satay nearby.

Noticing the questioning look, she explained, “It’s pitiful that they have to speak on the back of a lorry.”

- Malaysian Insider
www.themalaysianinsider.com

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Smooth postal voting for police & army (KT by-Election)

The postal voting for 1,001 police and 27 army personnel for the Kuala Terengganu Parliamentary by-election went smoothly albeit slowly on Monday.

The Election Commission deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar who oversaw the process said everything went smoothly, but at times the waiting lines were a bit long.

"I have to ask EC officials to hasten the balloting process so that the waiting time can be cut," he told reporters at the State Police Contingent headquarters.

The ballotting for the army was conducted at the Seberang Takir camp.

On the campaigning process, which entered its seventh day on Monday, Wan Ahmad said overall, the commission was satisfied as there were no major problems reported so far except for minor disturbances.

He said there were reports of party workers from the opposing sides teasing each other, spitting at each other and even a slapping incident, but none had escalated into a fight.

On complaints by Parti Keadilan Rakyat that it was having difficulties in securing police permits for their ceramahs and other campaign activities, Wan Ahmad that was because the party was not contesting in the by-election.

He said under the rule, only parties contesting in any election were allowed to be involved in campaign activities.

Since the party contesting in the by-election was PAS, only that party would be issued permit to hold gatherings and ceramahs, he said.

The police two days ago explain that ceramah and gathering permit would only be issued to PAS.

However, Wan Ahmad said, PKR leaders could still take part in ceramahs and other campaign activities on permits issued to PAS, provided PAS representatives were also present at such activities.

Wan Ahmad said parties taking part in the by-election were allowed to campaign as they had placed deposits with the EC.

"Other PKR leaders can campaign and hold ceramahs, provided they register their applications through PAS," he added.

Wan Ahmad explained that unlike Barisan Nasional which is a registered political coalition, PKR - made up of PAS, PKR and DAP - had yet to register and their candidates contest elections on the ticket of their respective parties.

- The Star

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Ahmad Said’s move to drop oil royalty lawsuit is a betrayal of Terengganu folk (K.Terengganu Election)

In a move seen by many to be a betrayal of the Terengganu people, Menteri Besar Ahmad Said last week agreed to drop a legal suit filed nine years ago against the federal government for withholding oil royalty payments to the state.

Said KeADILan information chief Tian Chua: “It is obvious that Umno-Barisan Nasional does not respect the peoples’ mandate. When PAS ruled, the BN frozed the oil royalties due to the people of Terengganu and caused many to suffer poverty and hardship. They defied and disrespected the wishes of the Terengganu people.”

The lawsuit was filed in 2000 by Pakatan Rakyat partner PAS, which had wrested control of the state from the Umno-led Barisan Nasional during the 1999 general election.

In the aftermath of the electoral defeat and in retaliation, ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad had unilaterally decided to stop the payments.

These were reinstated only after the 2008 general election, when Ahmad, with the backing of the Sultan of Terengganu, persuaded Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to do so.

According to Ahmad, national oil firm Petronas will be paying Terengganu twice a year. The state is due to receive five percent royalty from oil revenue that is raised in Terengganu each year.

“Under our arrangement with Petronas, they are suppose to pay us twice a year - in March and in September,” Ahmad, who is Kemaman Umno division chief, had said late last week.

At least RM1.6 billion left that is unpaid and unaccounted for

However, he did not mention about the outstanding arrears due to Terengganu from 2000 to 2007, nor whether a proper accounting and public audit would be carried out before formally rescinding the suit in March.

Although Mahathir later on agreed to pay Terengganu the funds - renamed goodwill payments - through BN agencies, there is insufficient data to tell if the state has received what is fully due to it.

When the BN recaptured Terengganu in 2004, the federal government did not restore the royalty payment either.

However, KeADILan’s Tian revealed that based on disclosures made in Parliament, at least RM1.6 billion is still owing to Terengganu folk.

He said the federal government had told lawmakers a total of RM7 billion was paid to Terengganu from 2004 to 2007. This claim was however denied by former Terengganu menteri besar Idris Jusoh.

His bombshell forced Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Amirsham Aziz to admit that only RM5 billion was paid, meaning that RM2 billion was still outstanding.

Last month in a high profile ceremony, Najib handed over a RM400 million cheque to Ahmad Said that was reportedly the last installment of oil royalty due to be paid to Terengganu for 2007.

“Najib has only paid RM400 million, but what about the balance RM1.6 billion. That is a huge amount and it is still owing. It is now more than a question of who rules in Terengganu - what is most important is that the rights and the wealth of the Terengganu folk are duly and rightfully returned to them,” Tian said.

An opportunity for change

Kuala Terengganu, the state’s royal capital, is currently at the center of national interest. The parliamentary seat unexpectedly fell vacant in November after its MP, the late Razali Ismail, died suddenly.

An intense by-election contest is now being waged between the two main candidates - BN’s Wan Ahmad Farid and Pakatan’s Wahid Endut. Polling day is on Saturday, Jan 17.

Even Abdullah has flown into town ahead of schedule to help with the BN campaign, while Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim - who was there earlier - was swamped everywhere he went in the constituency.

Although, the north-eastern state is rich in natural resources especially petroleum, it was not too long ago the poorest among Malaysia’s 13 states.

It is still largely undeveloped, with large pockets of rural and even urban folk still surviving just above the poverty line. Infrastructure built in the past decades has been focused in a few key oil-producing districts. In the national prosperity ladder, Terengganu is now second from the bottom.

- Suara Keadilan

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KT Chinese Associations Strike An Accord On Whom To Vote (K.Terengganu Election)

President of Terengganu Chinese Town Hall Fu Zhiwan said, the 32 Chinese associations in Kuala Terengganu had struck an accord that they wanted to see sustained developments for the state capital after the by-election, and would therefore vote for whoever that would bring more developments to the state, in particular Kuala Terengganu.

However, they fell short of specifying whether BN or PAS candidates would get their support.

BN has brought a number of major construction projects to Terengganu, including the expansion of Sultan Mahmud Airport, hypermarkets and business opportunities to stimulate the state's commercial activities, since the party took over the state in 2004.

Fu said, after the Chinese Town Hall had secured the RM3.3 million allocation from the state government to finance the construction of its hall, the 32 Chinese associations in Kuala Terengganu had struck an accord to unanimously support the government that would bring developments to the state.

Fu said since the BN government was returned to Terengganu, it had met almost all the needs of the local Chinese community, be it for schools, civic organisations, temples or charitable institutions.

As such, the state Chinese association representatives had been very contented with the existing state government, as it had satisfied their fundamental requirements while offering various privileges and allocations from time to time.

It has been said that representatives from the 32 Chinese associations would attend a dinner with deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Friday night, and express to him the aspirations of the Chinese associations.

(By XU JUNJIE/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)

- MalaysiaKini

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PAS Says Activities With Corruption Elements Rampant (KT by Election)

Pas deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa today said activities with elements of corruption are quite rampant in the Kuala Terengganu by-election.

"With lures given to the people in the form of instant projects, in the form of promises... from tarred roads and the promise to give laptop computers to school students.

"For us, these are activities which can be interpreted as corruption," he told reporters at the party's education camp in Kuala Ibai here.

He also chided former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo who had said Pas chose Wakaf Mempelam Asssemblyman Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut to stand in the by-election because the party lacked leaders.

Nasharuddin said Wahid was chosen because of his credibility as a popular candidate who could ensure Pas' victory and able to serve the people.

On the party's move to give the campaigning job in Chinese areas to Parti Keadilan Rakyat and DAP, he said it was a strategy to enable the voters understand what were delivered.

- Bernama

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A dilemma over Malay voters (K.Terengganu by Election)

Election fever seems barely discernible in Kuala Terengganu, but head for the nearby villages. As the town fades in the distance, flags start to appear along the road. It is evident that much of the Kuala Terengganu by-election war is being fought in the Malay villages, as 88 per cent of the 80,299 voters are Malay.

But the media focus so far has been on the Chinese voters, who comprise about 11 per cent of the total. This is because the Malay electorate is believed to be split between Pas and Umno. Pas has a slight edge.

Nevertheless, the Malay parties are acutely aware that they cannot neglect the Malay votes. “Not at all,” said Pas research centre chief Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, part of the party's electoral strategy team.

This, he said, would be akin to the Malay saying that warns against chasing a dream, only to lose what is already in hand.

The by-election for Kuala Terengganu was called after its Umno MP died in November last year. Pas candidate Abdul Wahid Endut is up against Umno's Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh and an independent. Polling is next Saturday.

It has been touted as a major test of support for either side. The Chinese vote will be crucial if the Malays are equally split. But if the Malay vote tips heavily to either side, the Chinese vote will be irrelevant.

Both sides are carrying out a delicately balanced campaign — to woo the Chinese while not alienating the Malays.

The strong emphasis on Chinese votes had been said to have made some Malay voters unhappy. In particular, opposition MP Lim Kit Siang's statement that the Chinese are the kingmakers has upset some Malays. This implies that the Malays have to give in to Chinese wishes.

Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in his blog two days ago, said Pas had forgone its principles. He picked on the issue of Pas allowing pig farming near Malay villages without taking into account Malay sensitivities. He also pointed out that Pas has been silent on its plans to introduce the Islamic penal code, or hudud.

“All this shows that Pas is not a principled party, or sincere in promoting Islam. It is willing to bend backwards for political interests,” Dr Mahathir wrote.

While hudud is not a major election issue in Kuala Terengganu, Pas is still in a spot, as veteran DAP leader Karpal Singh refuses to drop the topic.

Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday jumped into the fray. “It is clear that they (the opposition) don't have a common stand; it is a very loose coalition which is interested only in toppling the Barisan Nasional government,” he said.

It is not certain how far the issue will affect the Malay vote. Although the community is largely polarised into Umno or Pas, it has been reported that about 20 per cent of them are fence-sitters.

Dzulkefly of Pas said it was still a neck-and-neck fight. But Minister of International Trade and Industry Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who has been campaigning from Day One, said: “There is a new euphoria among them, wanting to come back.”

The Malay vote will become more crucial if the Chinese turnout is low, given that polling is just a week before Chinese New Year. And a low turnout is bad news for the BN. According to a study, a mere 3 per cent drop in Malay turnout will erase 1,500 BN votes if Malay support stays the same as in March last year.

The BN won the seat by 628 votes.

The campaign among the Malays has been low-key. Both sides are competing to show how friendly and humble their candidates are. Prihatin, mesra and cakna — different words meaning caring — were the keywords on the BN billboards.

- Malaysian Insider
www.themalaysianinsider.com

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Kuala Terengganu by-election: The issues argued out

What is being debated in this by-election? What do the thousands of campaigners say to the voters to convince them to vote for either Barisan Nasional's Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh or PAS' Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut on Jan 17.

For Independent Azharuddin Mamat, it is the least of his worries. The traditional healer is going door-to-door to persuade poor people that if he wins he is going to help them with the allowances paid to him.

But what are deputy BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is spearheading the coalition’s campaign, and state chief Datuk Ahmad Said and other local and national leaders saying.

And what are the leaders of the loose Pakatan Rakyat coalition of PKR, DAP and PAS, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang, Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat and PAS president Datuk Abdul Hadi saying?

If the way to influence the voters is through a poster war, which was one of the local strategies in the past, there does not seem much "banner jungles" or "poster thickets" around.

Maybe not yet. Because of the monsoon, most of the posters are probably saved for the last few days of campaigning. Also the city council has placed some limitations as to where posters can be put up. Certainly not on the favoured spots of the parties, the bridges.

Some of the BN and PR campaigners - hundreds of locals who are backed by thousands from the other states - say there are no local issues as the constituency is well looked after as it is the state capital. Others say there are. And that is why even the Israeli massacre of Palestinians is mentioned in many PAS and PKR ceramahs, including those by Anwar and the Islamic party vice-president Ahmad Sabu and its state commissioner, Datuk Mustapha Ali, where Umno or the BN has been compared to Israel.

And they say that is probably why Anwar continues to raise national issues, including the Eurocopter deal, closed tenders and corruption in high places at the federal level.

The also say that these issues plus the uncaptioned posters of Altantuya Shaariibu found in some parts of the city before they were torn down were meant to discredit Najib, to undermine his efforts to revive the BN, and to force him to call for early general election.

Anwar was on the defensive when it comes to the issues of the PR breaking up and the hudud which PAS wants implemented. He blamed the media which he described as belonging to the BN for the impression of disunity within the new coalition.

Among other issues popular with most PKR and PAS campaigners are the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English and the rescheduling of Mandarin news to prime time slot on RTM.

Debating the issues raised were Najib, the mentri besar, ministers, deputy ministers, exco members and a host of BN MPs and assemlymen and members of Pemuda Umno, Wanita and Puteri.

Many of them made much of Anwar’s Sept16 bluff. Najib told voters that it was best that they concentrate on deciding who they want as their representive instead of being swayed by arguments that this by-election is a referendum on him and Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said.

Of course there are local issues, said Hadi, who was mentri besar from 1999 to 2004. He pointed to the petroleum royalty issue and the abuse of the funds on lavish projects like the monsoon cup and the quarter billion ringgit Taman Tamadun Islam or the Islamic Civilisation Park.

"These are projects that do not benefit the people," he said.

Not true, counters Terengganu BN leaders who say that the project was to draw tourists to the state capital, part of an effort to make tourism the number one money earner after the oil wells have dried up.

Wan Farid , a first time candidate, said he has been solving many small local problems, including one where a morning jogger complained that he could not go on his run till the sun came up as the street lights were switched off at 6am.

He was also trying to get the authorities to act on the complaints of the people of Wakaf Memperlam, the state constituency of his challenger Wahid , about poor drainage and problems of sanitation.

Wahid told voters to elect him as he had a lot of reporting to do to the national legislature about corruption in high places in Terengganu. "We cannot depend on BN MPs to do it," he said.

Some how much of the wooing is in Kampung China for the 8,000 or so Chinese voters. It probably makes sense as in a constituency where most of the Malays are equally divided into Umno and PAS supporters, the Chinese hold the balance.

- The Sun
www.sun2surf.com

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