K KANGSAR After six days of campaigning in Kuala Kangsar, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak makes his debut announcing RM194 million in aid for the rubber industry to cushion falling commodity prices.

“I have fulfilled your wishes, ladies and gentlemen, so I ask you to fulfil just one wish of my own.

“My wish is for you to help support the BN candidate. That’s all (sikit sahaja),” Najib said this morning.

He was speaking after announcing the one-off payment at the event to hand out the special aid for falling rubber prices at Dewan Jubli Perak, Kuala Kangsar.

BN candidate Mastura Mohd Yazid's children were present at the event.

Meanwhile, the candidate is observing iddah (mourning period) and is not permitted to leave her house during this period.

The aid is to be given to 388,111 small rubber farmers who are eligible nationwide.

The prime minister said these comprised 307,770 business operators and 80,341 rubber tappers, each of whom will receive RM500.

Najib added that this was not an attempt to buy voter support, as it was the third such grant from the government.

“So if people say this (aid) is because of the by-election, that is not true. That’s bidaah (incorrect).

“This is just aid for the rural folk,” he said.

The government only wanted to help the small farmers tide over the rubber slump, he added.

'Debt levels better than Singapore's'

Najib also urged Kuala Kangsar voters not to fall for the opposition's "lies" about the country's debts.

He said Malaysia's deficit levels were still manageable, and in a far better state than Singapore's.

He said the opposition's statements on the country's debts were exaggerated and not backed up by facts that reflected reality.

"For your information, ladies and gentlemen, our debt is still at a manageable level.

"Many countries have worse debts, the US, Japan, Singapore, all have per capita debts that are bigger than ours," said Najib.

He urged voters to ignore the opposition's statements and instead heed institutions such as the World Bank, the IMF and ratings agencies.

"They all say that the country's economy under the BN government is managed excellently," said Najib.

"Surely we don't even have to consider whether to listen to Amanah's candidate or the World Bank?

"Surely the experts at the World Bank, the IMF, are no less intelligent than the Amanah or PAS candidate?

"Of course not. That is why we should not fall for the opposition's lies," said Najib.

He added that the BN government was still capable of meeting the people's needs, even amid the economic woes the world was facing.

"The price of oil has fallen, China's economy is slowing down, but we are still able to take care of Malaysians.

"If that's not true, I would not have been able to come here to announce a certain something for all the planters.

"If we were unable to manage the economy well, I wouldn't be able to announce RM500 aid for civil servants, and RM1 billion for retirees," said Najib.

Kuala Kangsar will see Mastura go up against PAS' Najihatussalehah Ahmad, Amanah's Ahmad Termizi and Independent Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary in a four-cornered contest.

The twin by-elections with Sungai Besar were triggered by the death of both incumbents in a helicopter crash during the run-up to the May 7 Sarawak state election. The Election Commission has set June 18 as the polling date in both by-elections.

Professionals they may be, but where’s the wow factor?

Bersih slams 'appalling' campaign tactics, wants higher standards