Barisan Nasional mounts big campaign to win back the state

Kelantan is the main target. Umno and its Barisan Nasional partners are laying siege to the East Coast state that has been under PAS rule for the past 18 years.

In this general election, the battle will be for 20 state seats that both sides have listed as marginal, where the majorities in the 2004 polls were less than 1,000 votes. There are 45 state constituencies.

Kelantan Barisan head Datuk Annuar Musa revealed that the coalition would intensify its psychological war to capture the crucial marginal seats

This campaign is expected to gain further momentum with the visit of Barisan chief Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today.

His full day of events comes two days after his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak spent over 24 hours in Kelantan.

Najib not only took aim at PAS, but was also there to put a stop to the in-fighting among Umno members that had scuttled past efforts to unseat PAS.

“There should not be ‘your people’ and ‘my people’ in Umno. I don’t want to hear such talk. There are only Umno people in the Barisan,” he said on Wednesday.

Abdullah is expected to repeat the message today and will seek to galvanise the Umno grassroots and leaders into focusing on defeating PAS.

From independence, Kelantan was ruled by the Barisan and its predecessor, the Alliance, for only 12 years. During the other 38, PAS or its then ally Berjasa was in control.

Annuar, who is expecting to change it this year, said the Barisan’s trump card was the Kelantan manifesto, to be launched on Saturday, in which the coalition promises to lower assessment rates and give tax breaks and incentives for businesses.

The Islamist party on its part has fortified its seats and looked at the gain of the state constituency of Kijang on nomination day as a good omen of its chances of fending off the Barisan.

PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa declared in his daily media briefing yesterday, that it was impossible for the Barisan to win because “the groundswell favours us.”

“However, we are prepared for Barisan if it steps up its campaign. We have our plans to counter that.”

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Grandma set to campaign

Barely a day after 89-year-old Maimun Yusuf made headlines as possibly the country’s oldest ever election candidate, the grandmother sparked off a media frenzy again when she was not seen at home for almost the whole day.

Reporters and photographers who had gathered at her house in Kampung Gong Gemia since the morning waited anxiously, but Maimun was nowhere to be seen.

Attracting support: Maimun greeting her friends and neighbours as she set off campaigning at Jalan Panji Alam, Kuala Terengganu, yesterday.

Several of her neighbours said that she had gone campaigning, while others said she had returned to her family home in Kampung Atas Tol.

All speculation, however, was laid to rest when she finally came home at about 4pm – on her trusty old red bicycle.

“Alamak, ramainya kamu (Oh dear, there’re so many of you),” the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat hopeful said as she greeted them with a smile.

The kain songket trader, a divorcee with seven grandchildren, said she had been busy all morning preparing for her campaign.

“I was busy printing my election posters. I needed to have by picture taken too,” added Maimun, who invited pressmen up to her dilapidated wooden kampung house.

Although a newcomer to the political scene, Maimun soon got down to business, constantly highlighting her intent to make Kuala Terengganu a better place for the rakyat.

“There are many things that need to be changed. Look at the office buildings and schools. They all need to be refurbished,” said Maimun, who has lived all her life in the village.

Asked if she had other dissatisfactions, she simply replied: “Adalah (there are many),” but declined to elaborate.

She was also unaware that her candidacy had caused headlines, and asked to see her picture in the paper.

Maimun has so far spent RM10,000 to register as a candidate, and has forked out more than RM3,000 in her campaign preparations.

“My only child, Khuzaimah Abdullah, in her 50s, who stays in Paka is not very happy with the way I’ve spent my savings.

“But InsyaAllah, with God’s help I will win the elections,” added Maimun, who invited pressmen to follow her on her campaign rounds to homes along Jalan Panji Alam.

She cycled along greeting neighbours and friends with: “Ingat ya, undilah untuk anak kunci (Remember to vote for the key logo),” she said.

She chose to use the key logo to contest under after her own logo (which incorporated the state flag) was rejected by the Returning Officer.

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Pak Lah: We’re realistic and responsible

Barisan Nasional’s promises outlined in its 21-page election manifesto are “realistic and responsible” and not merely empty promises, its chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

“Our promises must be based on an awareness that the responsibility is on us to deliver. They are not empty promises or just to entertain the people, or irresponsible promises. We are not like that,” he said in launching the Barisan manifesto entitled “Security, Peace and Prosperity” and its campaign website (www.BN2008.org.my) at the Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.

Promise of a better future: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu looking at the manifesto yesterday.

The manifesto contains a progress report on 76 major Barisan achievements in various sectors, he said.

“These are just the major ones and there are more. But if all the achievements are to be compiled, the report would be twice as thick,” he said.

Abdullah said the Opposition’s manifestos reflected their desperation and they not only failed to convince Barisan but also the people.

“PAS and DAP are each with their own ways, their own manifesto. Theirs is just an alliance of convenience.

“They cannot convince the Government or the people with their different stands and different ideologies that are uncompromising,” he said.

Abdullah said the Government spent RM43.4bil last year to help the people counter rising prices of global crude oil and commodities. Of this, RM35bil was for fuel subsidies.

“It is not possible to reduce fuel prices but what is important is that we are able to take measures to reduce the people’s expenditure,” he said.

He also said that RM29bil was spent on education while the Government subsidised 98% of the cost for health care.

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MBs head to Putrajaya to hand in candidates lists

Mentris Besar and Chief Ministers have begun making a beeline to the Prime Minister's Department to discuss with Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi the final candidates lists.

The marathon session with Abdullah, his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad began with Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud at 9.30am.

This was followed by Perlis Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh (Terengganu), Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo (Selangor) and Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali (Perak).

Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam was seen driving through the entrance of the Prime Minister's Department at 7pm.

It is learnt that the meetings with each Mentri Besar or Chief Minister lasted between two and three hours.

Shahidan, when approached by reporters outside, declined to comment while it is learnt that Dr Khir left the Prime Minister's office at 5.20pm using a different exit.

Idris, when met by reporters at 5.30pm just after the meeting, said he would announce the party's candidates in Terengganu at noon today.

“The Prime Minister said he would forward the final list to me before noon,” he said.

However, he declined to state whether his list would be fully approved, adding that it was up to Abdullah.

Asked whether Abdullah was satisfied with the proposed list, Idris replied: “There was no problem with the list but it took time to go through the names one by one.”

It is learnt that Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman met with Abdullah at Seri Perdana on Monday.

Ali Rustam is expected to announce the candidates' list on Friday.

Mohd Ali is expected to obtain the approved list from the Prime Minister either on the eve or the morning of the day he makes the announcement.

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My decision is final, says Fong

IPOH: Fong Po Kuan, dubbed cili padi because of her fiery style, has dropped a bombshell that has rocked the DAP – announcing that she is not going to contest in the general election.

The latest crisis to hit the opposition party is as a result of state party leaders trying to grab her Batu Gajah parliamentary seat.

“This crisis has been brewing for quite some time and it is unfortunate that it has exploded just before the general election,” said the insider, who is sympathetic to Fong.

Happier days: Fong being kissed by Tan after their marriage ceremony in Ipoh on Jan 12. It has not been a fairy-tale since then.

Her troubles with the other party leaders started when she defeated Barisan Nasional’s candidate Datuk Ong Ka Chuan in 2004 for the Batu Gajah seat.

“After her victory, Perak DAP leaders labelled Batu Gajah as an opposition stronghold and wanted her to give way to more senior leaders,” said one source.

Announcing her decision not to contest at a press conference at the Batu Gajah DAP office, Fong said her decision was final and suggested that incumbent Pasir Pinji assemblyman Thomas Su Keong Siong contest in her place.

This, according to party insiders, was a move by Fong to prevent state party leaders from nominating DAP Youth chief Nga Kor Ming, who is Pantai Remis assemblyman, to succeed her. It is well known that Fong does not get along with Nga or the state DAP led by his cousin Ngeh Koo Ham, the incumbent Sitiawan assemblyman.

“In fact, Fong and Ngeh are not on talking terms,” said one insider, adding that there were moves to even get Fong to contest in Johor, just because she married Johor DAP organising secretary Tan Chen Choon on Jan 12.

Another insider blamed Ngeh and Nga for freezing her out of the state party, which was why she resigned from the state committee last year.

The 34-year-old Fong, who is still the party’s assistant publicity secretary and Wanita DAP national organising secretary, refused to take many questions.

“The development of internal party events in the Perak DAP over the last few years and currently, has made it impossible for me to continue serving effectively and efficiently and wholeheartedly as a party leader and an elected representative,” she said.

She said it was a tough decision for her because the DAP had become her “second family” and the people of Batu Gajah had become special to her over the last eight years.

Fong tried to keep her emotions in check throughout the press conference but her voice broke as she read out her statement, especially when she described the DAP as her second family.

“Under such circumstances, and in the best interest of all concerned, I have arrived at this unavoidable and difficult decision. My decision is final.”

She said she had conveyed her decision to DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, who is also a member of the DAP National Committee on Candidate Selection, and written a letter to party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng about the matter.

Calls to Nga, Ngeh and other Perak DAP leaders to get their comments about Fong’s decision went unanswered.

Fong, who holds a Bachelor of Law degree from the International Islamic University, first came into national prominence when she won the Batu Gajah seat in the 1999 general election with a majority of 2,071 votes. At 26 years of age, she was the youngest MP then.

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PKR more confident now, to contest 18 seats in Kedah

SUNGAI PETANI: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) plans to contest in 18 seats in Kedah, twice the number contested by the then Parti Keadilan Nasional in the 2004 general election before its merger with Parti Rakyat Malaysia to form PKR.

Kedah PKR chief Zamri Yusof said the party would contest 11 state and seven parliamentary seats compared with five state and four parliamentary seats contested by Keadilan in the last election.

Keadilan lost all the seats contested in the last election.

Zamri said the state seats PKR would be contesting this time were Bakar Arang, Sidam, Kulim, Lunas, Bukit Selambau, Gurun, Kuah, Bakar Bata, Derga, Bukit Kayu Hitam and Pedu; and the parliamentary seats were Sungai Petani, Kulim/Bandar Baharu, Padang Serai, Merbok, Alor Star, Kuala Kedah and Langkawi.

The seat allocation was decided at a recent meeting between PKR and PAS, he added.

“We feel that PKR stands a better chance this time in Kedah,” he said in an interview yesterday.

Kedah has 15 parliamentary and 36 state seats. Barisan Nasional holds 14 parliamentary and 31 state seats while PAS has one parliamentary and five state seats.

Zamri said PAS would contest in 24 state and eight parliamentary seats. DAP is expected to contest in the Kota Darulaman state seat.

Zamri lost to former deputy education minister Datuk Mahadzir Mohd Khir in the last general election by 17,502 votes in the Sungai Petani parliamentary constituency.

Former Kedah Keadilan chief Johari Abdul, 52, who stood in the Bakar Arang state seat in the last election, said he would contest the Sungai Petani parliamentary seat this time.

Johari lost to MCA’s Datuk Soon Kok Wah in 2004 by 8,899 votes.

Mahadzir said anyone is welcome to contest in Sungai Petani, “but they can never dream of wresting the parliamentary constituency from Barisan Nasional.”

Petaling Jaya-based management consultancy Infobid Sdn Bhd managing director G. Muralimohan, 52, plans to join in the fray as an independent candidate in the Sungai Petani parliamentary and Sidam state seat.

“I am saddened by what is happening in the country and want to serve the people if given an opportunity,” he said in an interview.

Muralimohan, who was a technician in the Public Works Department, left to join the private sector in 1983.

He was in the United States for six years in the ICT industry before setting up his own company in Petaling Jaya in 1998.

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Nomination day on Feb 24, polling day on March 8

KUALA LUMPUR: It will be the longest official campaign period in 26 years. Nomination day will be on Feb 24 and polling day on March 8.

Parties from both the Barisan Nasional and the opposition were generally taken by surprise at the length of time because the last one in 2004 was just nine days.

Although none will publicly admit it, most are apparently ill-prepared for such a long campaign period.

Although campaigning can officially start after nomination day, the effective campaign period will be 23 days because most parties started their programmes yesterday, if not earlier.

Barisan deputy chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the period would give all political parties ample opportunity to campaign effectively.

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang thanked the Election Commission for the longer period.

In the contentious 1969 elections, the campaign period stretched over 34 days, while in 1974 it was 16. Eight years later (in 1982) campaigning was reduced to 15 days, and in subsequent polls shrank further, to 10 days.

In the tumultuous 1999 elections, only nine days were given.

Other highlights of yesterday’s run-up to the general election:

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the Barisan’s seat-sharing formula remains unchanged.

The opposition parties unveil how they distributed seats among themselves.

Two ministers confirm they are retiring.

Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon says he will reveal next week the seat he will contest.

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Nomination day on Feb 24, polls on March 8

PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission has set Feb 24 for parties to nominate candidates for 12th general election; Malaysia goes to the polls on March 8.

Parliament was dissolved yesterday, ending weeks of speculation.

Malaysians will be asked to give a fresh mandate to the government of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Candidates will vie for 222 parliamentary seats and 505 state seats.

Abdullah will lead the Barisan Nasional into the election for a second time.

The assemblies of all states except for Sarawak were also dissolved Wednesday after the mentris besar and chief ministers sought consent from their respective rulers.

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Poster war: Up to local councils to take action

BUKIT MERTAJAM: It is up to the local authorities and not the police to take action against overzealous candidates who have started putting up posters before nominations, Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum said.

Based on the Election Commission guidelines, posters, billboards and structures of political parties could only be put up after nominations, he said.

``If the local authorities want to take action, they can do so. It is up to them to enforce.

``But after the elections and the votes are counted, all parties must take down the posters. If they do not, their deposit would be used to clear all the flags, posters and structures hung,'' he told newsmen Tuesday at the Central Seberang Prai police headquarters here.

In the press conference, Johari reiterated that all gatherings, talks and events would need a permit from the police.

``I hope all parties would abide by the rule and get the necessary permits,'' he said, adding that the police were prepared and ready for the general election.

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Ready for polls

Saturday December 22, 2007

PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission (EC) is all set for the general election – some 50,000 transparent ballot boxes have been distributed across the country and 250,000 workers are ready to be mobilised.

Its chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said the use of indelible ink was also ready to be introduced, as requested by some political parties and non-governmental organisations, in an effort to prevent fraud.

He said the EC was on the last leg of briefings for returning officers (ROs) and assistant ROs.

“The EC is ready. All other preparations are completed,” he said in an interview here yesterday.

Transparent elections: Malaca state election commission worker, Mazura Latib, 24, showing the transparent ballot box which will be used in the next general election. – A. MALEX YAHYA / The Star

Abdul Rashid said many of the ROs and officers involved in the briefings had also had some experience in conducting elections.

“Many of them are senior government personnel, in the level of district officers. So, they don’t actually require much teaching in terms of how to run elections.

“About 85% of them have performed electoral duties. It’s not a problem even if elections were held now,” he said.

Abdul Rashid said the elections would cost RM200mil this time round – RM65mil more than the cost incurred in the last elections – because of the new features to be introduced.

“This time around, we are having the transparent ballot boxes instead of the old ones. This cost us some RM16mil.

“There is also an increase of 15% in the number of polling districts and, therefore, there will be more polling stations. In order to man all these polling stations, we have to employ more people.

“During the last elections, we employed 175,000 people. This time, it will be 250,000 people, all of whom have to be paid allowances ranging from RM150 to RM800 a day. So, it is a huge sum we will have to pay,” he said.

Abdul Rashid said the indelible ink, which would be applied to the left forefinger of voters to prevent fraud, would cost about RM1mil.

Some 10.5 million citizens will be eligible to vote in the next general election, with the EC having recently endorsed an additional electoral roll of 412,756 voters.

The EC has also removed 141,063 names from the record of registered voters.

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