isa samad bagan pinang 290909 02 With signs indicating that Bagan Pinang voters are indifferent about the Barisan Nasional candidate Isa Samad's tainted history, the opposition is now training its sights on Negeri Sembilan's menteri besar Mohamad Abu Hassan.

An open letter to Mohamad, penned by PKR supreme council member Badrul Hisham Shaharin, is now making rounds alleging the menteri besar of graft, cronyism, breach of election promises and public trust.

In the letter, Badrul Hisham said Mohamad must answer claims that his government was giving preferential treatment to companies owned by his relatives.

"Through this letter, we are demanding answers. How did two companies - Bumi Highway and Selia Selenggara - which are linked to the menteri besar's family, obtain numerous government contracts," wrote Badrul Hisham.

Badrul Hisham, who leads Rembau PKR division, also urged Mohamad to reveal details on the privatisation of the state's water supply.

Broken promises

He said the scheduled water tariff increases was promised to the concessionaire and disclosure of those holding interest in these companies have not been made.

"Who are they? Do they have links to the ruling party?" he asked.

Badrul Hisham also accused Mohamad of reneging on promises made to voters during the 2008 general elections, namely the building of a Rembau hospital, Pedas mosque, Pusat Tuisyen Emas (a free tuition centre) and a light aircraft airport.

He said Mohamad must respond to these issues in order for the Bagan Pinang voters to properly assess his leadership during the upcoming by-election on Oct 11.

Nominations will be held on Oct 3 in what is an almost certain walkover for Isa, who is a local Umno strongman, despite his background being tainted by a vote-buying scandal in the 2004 Umno polls.

Isa is facing Negeri Sembilan PAS chief Zulkefly Mohd Omar.