The Orang Asli voters in Batu Talam are requesting for 'payment' for their votes in this Sunday's Batu Talam by-election, said a Barisan Nasional (BN) campaign spokesperson today.

"The local indigenous youths are willing to receive cash, shoes, footballs and football jerseys whereas the elders prefer cigarettes.

"The Orang Asli told us that if we do not pay them in some way, they will not come out and vote. They would rather go foraging in the forest since the petai is in season," he added when contacted.

However, he said, based on previous experience, not all Orang Asli voters come out to vote, as many do not realise that elections are being held.

The spokesperson said he has approached several tok batin or village headmen to persuade them to come out and vote this Sunday.

Spoilt votes

"However, they have not given any guarantees. And if they do come out, there is no guarantee that their votes will be for the BN candidate," he added.

According to him, the Orang Asli who are not familiar with the process end up churning out spoilt votes.

The indigenous people make up five percent, or approximately 500 of the 10,525 registered voters for the constituency.

The Batu Talam by-election will see a contest between BN candidate Abdul Aziz Mat Kiram and Independent Ng Chee Pang.

The opposition are boycotting the polls in order to press for electoral reforms.

According to the spokesperson, the BN brought its election machinery to the Satak post, an Orang Asli settlement, on Tuesday and Wednesday.

He said Abdul Aziz made a trip to the post on Tuesday.