Despite their apparent slow start PAS has begun a direct offensive against the BN, calling in the big guns to start delivering direct body blows and pin-prick attacks of their own against their opponent in the Galas by-election.

The much anticipated oil royalty issue was brought to bear by none other than PAS spiritual advisor Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat himself in a talk at the PAS stronghold of Sg Keterah last night.

Nik Aziz also talked about the federal government's flirtation with gaming revenue. Though he stopped short of elaborating further on both subject. The PAS leader was joined on stage by Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

NONE The campaign also started seeing PAS candidate Dr Zulkefli Mohamad making inroads into the BN stronghold of Pulai as he and Lembah Pantai parliamentarian Nurul Izzah Anwar went to the ground to find and address voter concerns.

The outing can be sen as an attempt to pair up Nurul Izzah's ability to charm the crowd and Dr Zulkefli's genuine concern for the people.

It was alleged that the mainly Chinese plantation operators in the area were not being given government subsidised fertiliser if they were seen to lean towards Pakatan Rakyat.

Nurul Izzah said that the distribution of subsidy is for all those in need and must not be according to political leanings. Dr. Zulkefli promised to look into the matter.

Superstar Chua fizzles out

On the BN side, their attempts to make inroads into the Chinese community has fizzled out despite the superstars they have brought to bear.

Yesterday MCA president Chua Soi Lek came down to Galas on a rigorous house to house canvassing for votes under the hot Gua Musang sun, the BN hoping that his star power and personal presence could bring a turn-about of Chinese sentiments.

NONE Chua said he is not bringing any allocation this time, to avoid the opposition attack of "election goodies".

"Since the 10th Malaysia Plan has listed out the allocation for Chinese schools, we are not going to make the announcement here.

"When we make the allocation announcement during election, the opposition will say it's 'election goodies' and politicize the issue, which will bring a counter effect to us," he told a press conference yesterday.

The reception of the Chinese voters have been also quite tame because many still carry a grudge against the BN, which administered the state in the 1980s, when their lands were taken away en-masse for a government project.

The road that Ku Li built

But Chua was not the only one to face lacklustre Chinese support, BN strongman and Gua Musang MP Razaleigh Hamzah also faced the same problem.

When he came down to meet with Chinese community leaders and captains of industry at Kim Kee restaurant, one of the more prominent Chinese restaurant in Galas, a day before. Razaleigh, also known as Ku Li was not able to generate much in terms of support.

NONE His problem was that he was seen to be in cahoots with the then BN-led state government in the 1980s land grab.

Locals have also complained that he was never seen in Galas prior to this despite his 30 over years of service as MP, never around whenever the locals faced floods or fire and needed the support of their leader.

However, locals are grateful for the things that Ku Li did in the building of roads to many areas in once isolated Gua Musang.

Though they say that the memory of his contributions is fading, much like the tar on the road that Ku Li built has turned white from years of use and neglect.

As practical as ever, the Chinese say that Ku Li while still respected, is already a dated politician whose career is in the twilight.

BN gunning for youths

Sentiments in the Chinese areas are now pro-Pakatan if the reception to their nightly talks is any indication and the lacklustre reaction to the BN superstars paints a clue.

But the BN is still reign supreme in Orang Asli areas, with many of them still lumping the problems that affects their quality of life like over-logging and lack of clean water supply on the PAS-led state government.

PAS had made earlier inroads into the Orang Asli areas but stopped after a few runs.

It is quite possible that they are facing much resistance in winning Orang Asli hearts and minds. Though they are scheduled to again head into the interior in a few days time, the outcome of which may give a better picture of how things stand for PAS in those areas.

The ruling coalition is also on the move, using the coming weekend which will see many youths congregating in Galas to plan activities centered around the young.

NONE This Friday, the first day in the Kelantan weekend, saw Youth and Sports Minister Shabery Cheek going to meet youths at a soccer field in Kesedar Putra, while Ku Li and the BN candidate are attending a futsal event in the PAS dominated area of Sungai Terah.

This, in the footsteps of rumours that the BN had issued free tickets to young Galas voters to the Malaysia Cup final in Bukit Jalil to entice their support.

Though PAS has not yet done anything to match this, with a visit by PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz to the local hospital their only plans so far.

While today's campaign is far from over, it is interesting to watch if PAS will also try to use the weekend to catch youth voters or will miss the boat altogether.