PAS: KJ's remark on PM's position very odd

DAY 8 KUALA BESUT Quotable quotes, planned events and unplanned incidents as they take place in the run-up to the by-election.

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4.30pm: PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man describes Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar's statement that a defeat in Kuala Besut would affect Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's position as tragic.

He further deems Khairy's statement as very odd, as he points out that it was not even Najib, but rather his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin who is leading the election campaign.

"PAS is of the view that a 16:16 seat scenario would bring about a balanced government and enhance PAS’ and Pakatan Rakyat’s role in the state legislative assembly where the state government would be more responsible in terms of policies, expenditure, projects and development as it would be more fair and transparent," he said in a statement.

4pm: Wanita Umno chief Sharizat Abdul Jalil says that the party wing will double the campaign machinery workers in this by-election campaign.

According to her, there are currently "not less than 600" workers stationed in Kuala Besut and each of them oversee 30 voters.

She also stresses that despite the outcome of the July 24 polls, Wanita Umno will always be with the people of Kuala Besut in helping them solve their problems or forwarding them to the people’s representative.

"One campaign machinery worker is taking care of 30 people, and it does not happen during election period only, (but) always, always," she says during a press conference after visiting a disabled child at Kampung Nail today.

The former women, family and community development minister says that she had cut short her pilgrimage period in Mecca for this by-election and will stay in the sleepy town until polling day.

4.00pm:

Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir distributes zakat (alms) and boxes of dates to the poor in Bukit Puteri, saying he wants to 'return a favour'.

He tells the audience of about 100 villagers in Kampung Air Terjun that Kedah took some lessons from Terengganu to improve its education system, while Kedah Umno learnt from its Terengganu counterpart to retake the state in the last general election.

"Since there are good things in Terengganu to the extent that we from Kedah and other states come to learn from them, therefore I think there is no need to change the government because the BN-led government here is so progressive, visionary, and has out-of-the-box thinking that moved it forward," he said at a press conference later.

12.20pm: In an act that is sure to grab attention, former actress Abby Abadi decided to auction of one of her baju kurung to raise funds for the PAS Kuala Besut by-election campaign.

The outfit went to a Dr Rosli Alani Abdul Kadir, the highest bidder at RM1,010.

When Rosli cam

e on stage to receive the baju kurung, the emcee jested, “this is to be given to which wife, we do not know”, to laughter from the crowd.

Later, when asked what else she would like to auction, such as perhaps the sunglasses she was sporting, Abby replied she would like to auction off the purple tudung she was wearing.

This was accepted and bidding for the garment began at RM70, but the price soon shot up to  RM100, and the bid was won by Asri Husin, who was part of the PAS campaign team there in Kuala Besut.

Just prior to the auction, Abby had presented a motivational speech to the 500-strong crowd, touching on her bitter sweet experiences in the glamourous world of acting.

12.07pm:

PAS’ candidate Azlan Yusof arrives at the ‘Jom Bersama Che Long’ ( Come be with Che Long) fair, taking the opportunity to give a short speech and appeal to those attending for votes.

“I ask that you vote for me, vote for PAS to ensure  a PAS’ win. The 16:16 agenda is our aim. I hope that all brothers and sisters, I urge everybody to campaign for votes for me,” Azlan said.

PAS’s 16:16 election campaign theme refers to the number of state seats which will be held by PAS and BN in the state respectively, should PAS win the coming July 24 by-election, resulting in a hung assembly.

11.36am:

PAS is organising a ‘ Jom Bersama Che Long ’ (Come be with Che Long) fair beginning today at the UPU Kampung Baharu.

Part of its campaign, the event will feature health services, hair cuts, car black oil change, stalls and even family motivation sessions with Ustaz Ja and artist Abby Abadi.

Ustaz Ja and Abby are currently presenting to some 500 people who came on the first day of the fair.

11am: PAS candidate Azlan Yusof pays a visit to a morning market at Kuala Besut town.

There, he wastes no time in meeting and greeting traders and market-goers.

Azlan, more fondly known as Che Long by locals, no longer cuts a lone figure. Today, he is accompanied by PAS Chukai assemblyperson Hanafiah Mat and other campaign workers.

“(The campaign) has been good so far, the sentiment for change is blowing among the people,” Hanafiah tells Malaysiakini on the sideline of the campaign route.

Nevertheless, a PAS speaker, who is using a 4WD truck as a mobile ceramah stage, stresses that BN will still maintain power at both federal and state levels, even if PAS manages to capture Kuala Besut.

9am: MCA Kuala Besut division chief Lee Chan Fook yesterday urged Chinese voters to “show” their ballot paper to the party agent during the voting process.

According to Sin Chew Daily , Lee, who was speaking during a 1Malaysia dinner, even showed the audience how not to fold the ballot paper and cast it immediately.

Lee explained this is to show that Chinese votes are for the Barisan.

“We want everybody to know, Chinese voters are for Barisan. You must dare to show your ballet paper, don’t fold and fold it, because those folded may not be for Barisan.”

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