Malaysiakini brings you the latest elections news and snippets from around the web. Find out here who is up to what and where; who’s saying what about who and why and who’s planning what against who and how!

Bernama

Fuel subsidy because government cares

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today the government had allocated massive subsidies to offset the price of petrol in the market as it cares for and is concerned about the people.

"Despite having to bear the high cost, we do it because the Barisan Nasional (BN) government is public-spirited and is concerned about the welfare of the people," he said when launching a campaign organised by the Association of Malaysian Taxi/Limousine and Hired Car Drivers (Pertekma) in Penang.

He said besides allocating RM43.4 billion to offset the fuel price increase, the government has in various ways ensured that the people are not burdened by the rising cost of fuel and other goods. This includes providing free text books to schoolchildren, abolishing school and examination fees and reducing charges for medical treatment and healthcare at government hospitals.

News Straits Times

Enraged PAS at EC office

PAS, led by its vice-president Mohd Sabu, led an enraged entourage comprising party members to verbally abuse Election Commission Public Relations Officer Sabri Said today at the commission’s office in Putrajaya.

muhamad sabu Unhappy that their mission to submit a memorandum to EC senior officials was unaccomplished, Sabu ( pix, left ) tore up the document at the EC office lobby.

The memorandum was to protest EC’s about-turn in doing away with a compulsory requirement for revenue stamps on nomination papers submitted yesterday. Pas claimed that it was only on nomination day that returning officers were informed that the directive was reversed.

Najib slams Anwar over post-election bid to become MP

Deputy Prime Minster Najib Razak said the general election is for the people to determine the course of the country’s future and not a stage for individuals to promote their political careers

He was referring to the contests for Permatang Pauh and Lembah Pantai, where opposition candidates have declared their willingness to step down in favour of Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim if they win.

The Star

azalina othman 02 Youth and Sports Minister Azalina Othman Said ( pix, right ) retained her Pengerang seat uncontested for the second time, as did former Sabah deputy chief minister Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh in Kalabakan.

PAS won a state seat without a fight when Wan Ubaidah Omar took Kijang in Kelantan after Barisan Nasional candidate Mustopha Ahmed was disqualified because he was an undischarged bankrupt.

Utusan Malaysia

BN manifesto launched

BN launched an 8- point manifesto under the slogan ‘Security, Peace, Prosperity’

The manifesto includes a report card which gives a lengthy account of the government’s achievements over the past four years.

Agents allowed for postal voting

Election Commission (EC) today announced that candidate’s agents are allowed to monitor the postal voting process in army camps and police stations as another measure to ensure fair and free election.