MIC’s P Kamalanathan is keeping his distance from the current mud-slinging against opponent Zaid Ibrahim in the Hulu Selangor by-election campaign.

NONE Met during his walkabout in Kuala Kubu Bharu today, Kamalanathan brushed off all questions pertaining to allegations about Zaid’s lifestyle.

"I don't know... All I want is to win the election, " he said.

Asked whether the strategy - widely attributed to Umno, despite a denial - could backfire on him, he refused to answer.

According to sources, Kamalanathan has been told to "strictly” keep to a pre-arranged schedule and to meet as many people as possible before the polls on Sunday.

Seen as having a fairly clean slate himself, he had earlier pledged not to launch a personal attack against his opponent.

NONE Zaid (extreme left in photo) , who had crossed from Umno to PKR, has become the target of bloggers who have accused him of drinking liquor , which is forbidden to Muslims.

He has conceded the point, but said this happened while he was in Umno and that he no longer indulges in the habit.

Next came the revelation that he has been involved in gambling - another practice forbidden by Islam - because he once owned a race horse.

However, Zaid has since explained that owning a race horse does not amount to gambling, but is a sport. Again, he took pains to point out he was with Umno at the time.

‘Priority for welfare matters’

Bernama reports that Kamalanathan will concentrate on welfare issues confronting voters if elected, based on feedback he has received during campaigning.

He also said he is willing to be dropped in the next election if his performance is not up to the mark.

NONE "One aspect I am looking at is developing new industries, especially related to eco-tourism in Kuala Kubu Baharu which can provide job opportunities to the people of Hulu Selangor," he said today.

He said he has completed 20-30 percent of his campaign schedule and that he hopes to “go full swing in the next few days”.

"I’ve met about 10,000 voters up to yesterday and am looking forward to see another 30,000 to 40,000 by the end of campaiging. I am using 'friendship' as an approach to get close to voters and this seems to be effective," he said.

Kamalanathan said he is confident that BN will wrest back the seat which was won by PKR in the 2008 general election.

He added that he is even more motivated now that Prime Minister and BN chairperson Najib Abdul Razak will be giving him a helping hand by visiting the constituency tomorrow.