As a former Negri Sembilan menteri besar, Isa Samad is a known face in the state he has ruled for 22 years and it is working to his advantage in Bagan Pinang .

Everywhere he goes, there is little need for Isa to break the ice as a flash of a smile and jovial banter is all it takes to convey to the people that he is ready to once again be at their service.

Without needing to pound the pavement like fresh candidates, Isa spends a significant portion of his campaign doing what he does best - exploiting his gift of the gab.

He is one of the rare by-election candidates who can hold his own and take on the whole contingent of PAS leaders in contentious by-election issues.

isa samad 061009 servicemen Speaking to about 400 retired servicemen yesterday, Isa (left) took on PAS elections director Salahuddin Ayub's claim that he had a dismal track record as Negri Sembilan menteri besar.

"There is no need to answer him. Salahuddin is better off advising the menteri besar of Kelantan. If they can match Negri Sembilan's economic success, then hats off to them.

"They can't improve the economy, because in Kelantan they are too busy with politics. Even religion is turned into a political issue. There is no time for development," said Isa.

Don't vote in hypocrites

Isa warned his audience that PAS was a hypocritical party which would compromise principles for the sake of votes and pleasing their Pakatan Rakyat partners.

He cited PAS' goal of setting up an Islamic state in the 1999 general election which it dropped last year in order to form an alliance with the secular and non-Muslim based DAP.

"That is why we must reject PAS. They never practise what they preach. In Bagan Pinang. They said they won't indulge in pers isa samad 061009 smile onal attacks, but they still do.

"If PAS - a self-proclaimed Islamic party - behaves like this, what more can we expect from DAP or PKR?" asked Isa.

Isa also homed in on PAS' capability of handling the economy with an anecdote from the first National Economic Action Council (MTEN) meet.

"In 1997, there was the economic crisis, and economic experts in PAS said the solution was religion. But they didn't say how.

"During the first MTEN meeting, I was still the menteri besar at the time and all the menteris besar came for a meeting. Kelantan was represented by Nik Aziz (Nik Mat) and PAS was represented by Abdul Hadi Awang.

"I wanted to see what suggestions these PAS people could bring. But they kept silent throughout! How can we expect such people to rule the country? Hancur (we'll be in ruins)!" he said.

‘ I was angry once'

Throughout his 30-minute speech, Isa shifted seamlessly from one topic to another, squeezing in attacks on PAS, charming his audience with his charisma and wit.

Isa defended his candidacy, stating that although he is 59, he was still fit to become an elected representative, pointing out that Nik Aziz and Abdul Hadi were both older than him.

"I've been an elected rep for 30 years. Now I want to continue serving, what is the big deal?" he asked.

On attacks against his three-year suspension from Umno, which expired last year, Isa stressed that he did not commit any criminal offence and took a jibe at Pakatan leaders who had spent time in jail.

"I violated the code of ethics for party elections and my membership was suspended for three years. For that, they (opposition) say I cannot contest (in the by-election).

"Anwar went to jail for six years and Lim Guan Eng spent a few years in jail, but they are allowed to contest and I am not. That is hilang akal (they have gone mad)." he said.

Isa also revealed to the servicemen that he was once very angry about his suspension but chose not to leave Umno because he does not see PAS as a viable alternative.

"There were supporters who wanted me to leave Umno, but I said I can't. I don't see any other party that can rule the country like BN," he said, to loud applause.

"Don't forget, I won the vice-presidency with the highest number of votes. Don't you think I wasn't angry when I was suspended? But I didn't lose my head."