PAS has slammed Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth chief Fadillah Yusof over its demand for a mere seven-day campaign period for the upcoming Sarawak elections.

pas muktamar 130610 idris ahmad Its information chief, Idris Ahmad ( left ), said that this was an act of cowardice as it shows that BN was itself not confident in a sustained campaign.

“The fact is that short campaign periods are sought because BN has a record of doing badly when the campaign period is long,” said Idris in a statement today.

During the 2006 state elections, the campaign period was 11 days, during which BN faced unprecedented losses. It lost six seats to DAP and one each to PKR, Sarawak National Party (Snap) and an independent.

Following this, BN sufered more losses during the 2008 general election when there was a 14-day campaign period.

On Feb 20, it was reported that Fadillah had urged the Election Commission (EC) to set a short campaign period over fears that the opposition campaigners, especially those from West Malaysia, would use provocative tactics.

“Sarawak has never experienced such an unhealthy election culture before,” Fadillah had said, referring to the Sibu by-election last year.

Fadillah said this after attending a meeting with EC officials in Kuching.

‘EC must be realistic’

Idris said that the EC must be realistic because a short campaign period will make it difficult for candidates to reach the voters, particularly in Sarawak, given the difficult terrain.

“Elections is the right of all Malaysians, who must be given the opportunity to participate comfortably and it must not be rushed.

“Security concerns and public order is the responsibility of the police while the EC’s duties are to ensure that all voters make an informed decision and participate in the election process,” he said.

NONE In a related development, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail ( right ) said that BN’s victories during the Merlimau and Kerdau by-election would pave the way for snap polls soon.

“Well-coordinated action must begin now,” said Wan Azizah in a statement today.

Despite the by-elections defeats, Wan Azizah congratulated Pakatan Rakyat’s campaign workers in face of a well-oiled BN campaign machinery, abuse of government agencies and a hostile mainstream media.

She also urged the EC to act independently and address complaints filed about BN’s alleged abuses.