ROMPIN Kuala Rompin, located within Rompin, Pahang, is a tranquil town. Until now.

 

With the by-election looming, the locals see vehicles with different state plate numbers pouring in - coming to their doorstep, penetrating into remote Felda areas, travelling from island to island - for only one reason, as the parties canvas for their ballots. 

 

Both PAS and BN have been flexing their muscles to mobilise their electoral machinery as polling day, this Tuesday, draws ever nearer.

 

The by-election comes after the incumbent, Jamaluddin Jarjis, fondly known as JJ, died in a helicopter crash on April 4. 

 

Hasan Arifin was nominated as candidate by Umno for this by-election, whereas PAS is represented by Nazri Ahmad ( left ).

It's a fight as between a familiar face and a relative unknown.

 

Before this by-election, Nazri, 40, who is Pahang PAS youth chief, was little known to the voters.

 

Howeer Hasan, 62, is a former deputy MB for Pahang and assemblyperson for Bukit Ibam and Tioman, both under Rompin.

 

Hasan thus is no stranger to the voters, whereas some voters only know PAS but not Nazri.

 

PAS has loaded all its bullets aiming at economic issues, particularly the newly-implemented Goods and Services Tax (GST), while BN, as usual, is playing the development card.

 

Three days before the voting day, Prime Minister cum BN chairman Najib Abdul Razak announced the government is offering the new generation of Felda settlers PGBF housing at RM90,000, compared to RM120,000 before the by-election.

 

Felda settlers make up more than half of the total number of voters, which is 53,249.

 

Introducing BN candidate Hasan Arifin ( left ) to the Chinese voters, MCA emphasised that he is a veteran politician and able to develop the constituency.

 

"When he was the deputy menteri besar, basic infrastructure and roads were well taken care of," MCA chief Liow Tiong Lai told a group of Chinese voters in Tanjung Gemuk recently.

 

"I am confident that he will be able to solve problems, including those faced by the fishermen, " he added.

 

'Experience and ability'

Hasan also stressed that BN, as the longest ruling party in the nation, has all the required experience and ability when it comes to governance.

 

This is unlike Pakatan which is now caught up with infighting, "BN is the correct formula for this country," he told Malaysiakini .

 

Touching on GST, Hasan defended it, saying that as it is new, the government needs more time to sort out its teething problems.

Parliament will also be able to scrutinise the use of the tax. The rakyat will also be able to monitor it, he said.

 

On the other hand, Nazri, a soft-spoken religious teacher, and a second generation Felda settler, attacked the GST.

 

He said the one-month-old GST is burdening the people, thus "one vote for PAS is one vote against GST".

 

"If I am elected, the first thing I will do is to express the voice of the rakyat to Parliament, especially on the GST issue," he told the voters.

 

PAS has staged numerous flashmobs and small rallies to voice their frustration against GST during the campaign. 

 

It seems both sides do not put much creativity in banners or billboards, as most of the banners, if not all, featuring only party logo and the candidate’s picture.

 

Like Permatang Pauh, the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is not seen in this by-election.

 

Both sides seem relying on the most traditional way to introduce themselves, namely, the walkabout.

 

This is given the fact that the constituency covers a huge area of 5,296km, and much of it is occupied by remote, scattered planting areas,  making it difficult to host a large gathering.

 

However, Hasan has one advantage that Nazri has not - all the ministers are on his side.

 

Deputy PM Muhyiddin Yassin, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ( left ), Rural and Regional Development Minister Mohd Shafie Apdal, Transport Minister Liow, Natural Resources and Environment Minister G Palanivel have traveled the few hundred kilometres from Putrajaya to ensure BN retains the seat. 

 

Meeting ministers, attending dinners, have since then become a daily theme for the locals.

 

GST - the deciding factor?  

 

While 20,000 protesters took to the street to fight against GST last week, some voters in Rompin share their sentiments. 

 

"I import bags from Kuala Lumpur and used to get three bags (of goods) but now only get two. It is very burdensome. I will be charged GST when I import goods, but when I raise my prices, my customers won't buy. I will bear all the costs (GST), let alone the price of fuel. 

 

"This will definitely change my voting preferences," said Joe who would like to remain anonymous, 32, a night marker vendor. 

 

Jeffrey, a furniture store helper who declined to reveal his full name, said sales at his shop dropped significantly after the implementation of GST.

 

"Previously, customers came in non-stop on weekends, but now we only have one customer for a whole day," he said, adding that he will vote against BN.

 

Mohd Azman Adnan, 32, a shop owner and third time voter, pointed out that GST will tax everyone, regardless rich or poor.

 

"If the rich is taxed, it's fine, but the poor including orphans (are also the target). This is a burden. Our currency is also too low," he lamented.

 

While some have strongly expressed their frustration against GST, not all will vote against the ruling party, however.

 

"I know many people are complaining about GST, but whether we complain or not, we have to accept it," said Azizun Rahman, 23, a worker who will cast his first vote in his life on Tuesday. 

 

As for Zulaila, 37, a shop helper, she opined that nothing will change whether BN or PAS wins the by-election.

 

"We will still need to bear with the GST," she sighed.