Campaigning in the Manek Urai by-election in Kelantan has officially kicked off now that nominations are over and the Election Commission has declared a straight fight between PAS’ Mohd Fauzi Abdullah and Umno’s Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat.
Over the next eight days till polling on July 14, the temperature in the quiet town is expected to shoot up dramatically. Intense and emotional campaigning is widely expected.
Although PAS president Hadi Awang said he expects local issues to dominate, others predict that the recent unity talks offered by Prime Minister and Umno president Najib Razak to dominate campaigning.
As the Umno press rushed to ask about the absence of PAS deputy president, Nasharudin Mat Isa who sparked an internal quarrel by welcoming Najib’s proposal last month, Hadi shot back, asking why the PM as the Umno head did not come to Manek Urai, was he afraid?
Money politics and skewed decisions from the police and the EC – as evident in previous by-elections – can also be expected as the Umno goes all out to wrench the seat from arch rival PAS.
Suara Keadilan appends below the comments and expectations of both PAS and Umno leaders sourced from various media:
Nik Aziz Nik Mat, PAS spiritual adviser
We have been wanting to debate with Umno since PAS’ inception in 1951. I just want to ask two things — why reject Islam and embrace nationalism, and what is wrong with the policy implemented by PAS, especially in Kelantan.
The unity talks proposal is dead. We are united in Pakatan Rakyat. If Umno returns to the true teachings of Islam, everything will be fine.
I don’t know where Nasharudin is. Ask him lah.
Hadi Awang, PAS president
Only local issues will be important here. This is a state seat, not a federal one. Najib is also not here. The voters themselves can assess who is right and who is wrong.
Mohd Fauzi Abdullah, PAS candidate
We are close to the people here. The voters know me well. PAS is close to them and we have been moving on the ground much earlier.
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Umno vice president
This time around, voters in Manik Urai should not be deceived by PAS’ sweet talk because it is only sweet outside but bitter inside.
According to the latest statistics, there has been a positive outlook among voters in Manik Urai because the work done by the BN machinery had been effective.
The people must realise that only BN can bring about positive changes to the state.
Umno Youth has young leaders who are proficient in issues related to Islam and I am confident they will be able to counter issues raised by PAS during the dialogue.
Muhyiddin Yassin, Umno deputy president
We don’t think all the voters here fully support PAS and Nik Aziz.
Courtesy of SuaraKeadilan
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