DAY 1 SG LIMAU Quotable quotes, planned events and unplanned incidents as they take place in the run-up to the by-election on Nov 4.

 

4pm:

Jerai MCA division chief Yeoh Sue Leong says public sentiment was against the MCA in the last general election. Indeed as they campaigned, many MCA members got a earful from the public, and only 10 percent of the Chinese vote went to BN.

"But the conditions are getting better now," said Yeoh at the MCA operations centre.

MCA vice-president Chor Chee Heung added he also believed the voting trend of the Chinese in Sungai Limau was now more positive towards them.

3pm: Yayasan Felda has organised eye tests and is giving away 700 pair of spectacles to the public at the Penghulu Mukim Sala Besar Complex, Yan, Kedah.

It is attended by Felda chief Mohd Isa Samad, Kedah MB Mukhriz Mahathir and BN’s Sungai Limau candidate Admad Sohaimi Lazim.

In his speech, Mohd Isa compares Ahmad Sohaimi, a university lecturer, to his competitor, PAS’ Mohd Azam Abdul Samat, who is a teacher in a religious school.

“If you compare a lecturer to a teacher, of course the lecturer is smarter,” he tells the crowd.

11.00am:   PAS heavyweights in Sg Limau today attempted to pre-empt their opponents trying to bribe voters into voting for the BN candidate, Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim, 52, who is contesting in a straight fight with PAS' Mohd Azam Samat, 37.

NONE PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar (right) said in Jerai that this has occurred in many previous by-elections, and urged the Election Commission to act seriously if it happens in the Sg Limau polls.

However when asked if there was proof of such incidents in Sg Limau, Mahfuz admitted there was none at the moment. Still, he described how it worked.

"Voters are pressured into voting their candidate. They are given an advance of RM200-300 and told to provide proof in the form of photos (taken with their handphone cameras) that they voted for BN.

"If they prove it, they will be given the balance of the money after polling day," he added.

Mahfuz also said that BN continues to threaten and provoke the people with promises of development to lure them into voting for the Umno candidate.

"Such tactics are against democracy. The state government - whether led by BN or PAS - has a responsibility towards the people, whether they support the party or not," said Mahfuz.

Related stories

MCA defends Mukhriz's statement on Chinese schools

Specs for voters to see BN 'clearly' on ballot

Umno asked to prove PAS 'gave nod to pole dancing'

'MCA members chided at coffee shops during GE13'

Umno bids to undermine PAS' Islamic credentials