While it has been an uphill task given BN’s hold on Malays in Hulu Selangor, a large number has turned to the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, claims Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

NONE Speaking to reporters after giving a talk to a crowd of about 200 people at Taman Rasa Utama, Anwar ( right ) said the response of Malays to Pakatan has been positive, judging from the gatherings and ceramahs organised for the by-election.   

“So far is the response has been very good, contrary to what they (BN) have been saying, the threats that Malay would lose their rights if support us and that we would surrender power to non-Malays,” said the Permatang Pauh MP.

The turnout and response of locals to the ceramah at Felda Sungai Buaya, for example, said Anwar, reflects the support that Pakatan is getting from the Malay voters.

“The support shown last night was fantastic. I m very pleased.”

 

He conceded, however, that there may still be issues that have to be explained to Felda settlers, in particular, so as to persuade them against returning BN to Hulu Selangor.

These will be addressed in the hours still remaining for the coalition to campaign in Pakatan leaders’ meetings with Malay voters, he added.

“They say Umno is strong, but I don’t believe it.”

Regardless of Pakatan’s confidence, its component parties’ workers will strive up to the last minutes to ensure victory for their candidate Zaid Ibrahim, he said.

“I only (I have to) work hard, and God-willing, we will able to win,” he added.

Pakatan to get 43-35% Malay votes

A party insider told Malaysiakini that Pakatan was confident of bagging between 43 to 45 percent of the Malay votes.

NONE PKR vice-president R Sivarasa ( left ), meanwhile, said “a good momentum” had built up in favour of Pakatan.

“Looking at the (response on the) ground, the momentum is with us as of now,” said the Subang parliamentarian.

What has captured the imagination of the Malays is the announcement by the Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim of the state government's plans to seriously tackle the many problems faced by Felda settlers, said Sivarasa.

“Today I spoke with Malays in Hulu Bernam, and they’ve told me how differently they see the Pakatan-led Selangor government.

“While the previous (BN) government refused to give them land, we have helped poor Malays who are without land,” said the lawyer.