'Tango with Perkasa will not affect votes'
TELUK INTAN Though being called a liar, it seems the controversy surrounding the Perkasa membership of her mother will not affect DAP candidate Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud’s chances in the Teluk Intan by-election.
Dyana's credibility may have taken a beating but with just three days to go before polling, it is unlikely to do much damage in terms of support.
In fact, when Malaysiakini quizzed voters, some were even in the dark about the issue.
TELUK INTAN Though being called a liar, it seems the controversy surrounding the Perkasa membership of her mother will not affect DAP candidate Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud’s chances in the Teluk Intan by-election.
Dyana's credibility may have taken a beating but with just three days to go before polling, it is unlikely to do much damage in terms of support.
In fact, when Malaysiakini quizzed voters, some were even in the dark about the issue.
There were also those who felt that Dyana's mother had nothing to do with the by-election, with one voter asking, "Who is contesting now? Dyana or her mother?"
On the other hand, many were more concerned about local issues, and questioned whether Dyana would live in Teluk Intan if she won, and which candidate would bring about development.
Voter Tan Chee How told Malaysiakini that the Perkasa issue would not affect his stand and he also believes that the rookie politician did not lie but was just inexperienced in handling the media.
This, according to the 30-year-old air-condition technician, is forgivable.
"She needs others to assist her in answering questions, this may be due to her inexperience. I think this is just an honest mistake," Tan said when met at Taman Rose.
'Not so bad an apple'
Declaring themselves Pakatan Rakyat supporters, four voters, aged between 25 and 32, also did not see any reason to condemn Dyana over this issue.
Among them, insurance agent Aik Zhi Hau claimed that BN had more leaders who flip-flopped.
However, he likened the contest to a choice between "two bad apples" and described Dyana as the "not-so-bad apple".
There were also some voters who wondered if they could believe the DAP candidate's pledges.
"Dyana said she would reside in Teluk Intan if she won the election. Will that be true?
"I need an MP who can serve in the constituency," said voter Lee Guat Hoon.
As for hardcore BN supporter Jamal Osman, who hails from Kampung Bahagia, Dyana's flip-flop on the Perkasa issue proved that the candidate was a bad choice.
Residents in the mixed, semi-urban seat said DAP publicity chief Tony Pua ( right ), was more concerned about Dyana not being a local as opposed to the Perkasa debacle.
Pua said the party would explain to the voters that this was merely a mistake in answering the media without checking the facts, and that Dyana did not lie.
"When we look at this differently, Dyana comes from an Umno family and explored Perkasa before. But she eventually chose DAP.
"Just like how (DAP's Serdang MP) Ong Kian Ming, who used to be with MCA before. It shows there is something in DAP that attracts the young and well-educated," Pua added.
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