A three-cornered fight awaits Malaysian Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim at Permatang Pauh, a constituency he has held from the 1980s, but that is unlikely to worry him much.
The more than 30,000-strong crowd stretching at least 2km long that accompanied him to the nomination centre at the Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara in Berapit, Penang is a testament to his huge popularity and resurgence as the country’s foremost Malay leader.
The huge crowd of mostly everyday people from all age groups also underscores the amount of hope Malaysians have pinned on him and his Pakatan Rakyat coalition to effect change in the country. They want him not only to win the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat but also to wrest the federal government from Prime Minister Najib Razak and corruption-riddled Umno-BN coalition.
“We are quite optimistic (of wining the federal government) but we have to work very hard,” Anwar told Malaysia Chronicle as his minders forged a way for him to get back onto his Jelajah Merdeka Rakyat bus.
Focus on federal government, Permatang Pauh a sure-win for Anwar
In Permatang Pauh, Anwar will face Umno’s Mazlan Ismail, an engineer and vice president with Telekom Malaysia who was also a former PAS member. An independent candidate Dr Abdullah Zawawi Shamsuddin, a Penang-based medical practitioner, is the surprise third contestant.
There is little doubt that Anwar will steamroll over both Mazlan and Abdullah, who are political lightweights compared to the 64-year-old former deputy prime minister, who is not only well respected within Malaysia but maintains close rapport with top leaders from around the world.
Indeed, if Pakatan wins more than half of the federal Parliament’s 222 seats, Anwar will become the country’s 7th prime minister and go down in history as the first man to ever effect a regime change in Malaysia, which has been ruled by the Umno-BN since 1957.
Many pundits believe that in the past few weeks the odds have further shifted to Anwar’s favor. One example cited is the latest controversy allegedly instigated by Umno-BN over the DAP’s right to use its traditional ‘Rocket’ logo in the coming May 5 general election.
Although a late announcement from the Registrar of Societies finally confirming it would not challenge the DAP’s use of the Rocket on the balloting papers, it may be too late for the Umno-BN government to regain voters’ trust.
“It is too late. The way the ROS and Prime Minister Najib Razak’s administration handled the issue stinks to high heaven. Few voters doubt there was an attempt to shackle the DAP and the sympathy votes will flow to the Pakatan,” Eddie Wong, a PKR veteran told Malaysia Chronicle.
GE13 off to a spirited start
Be that as it may, supporters from both camps are already staking claims to victory outside the IKBN compound.
The PKR camp, cheerily decorated with flags including those of coalition mates DAP and PAS, was a hive of activity. The BN camp, although much lesser in number, was situated directly opposite the Pakatan’s and was just as busy and brightly decorated with trademark blue ’dacing’ (weighing scales) flags and banners. Police personnel and RELA volunteers were also present in fairly large numbers.
“We hope that everything will run smoothly. Any disturbance outside will be controlled by the police,” said Jusni.
Despite its huge size, the crowd at the Opposition side of the IKBN compound showed tremendous discipline – with many refusing to leave despite the blazing hot sun and preferring to wait for nearly three hours under the sweltering heat. It was only around 11.30am that Anwar finally came out from the nomination hall. He had arrived just before 9am.
Taking turns to shout ’takbir’ and ’bangkit rakyat’, the mixed crowd of mostly locals and consisting of both elderly and the young waited patiently until their ‘hero’ emerged.
“Victory, victory for the people,” an elderly Malay lady told Malaysia Chronicle, when asked why she had come to support Anwar.
“The truth. BN has been around for a long time, more than 50 years and things have not changed much,” she added when asked why supported the Pakatan.
For M Siva, a Malaysian Indian in his twenties and working in the entertainment industry, it is clear that nothing but a sweeping Pakatan victory will do for him. When asked why he supported the coalition, why did he want change and why did he think change was necessary, his answers were revealing in their steadfastness.
“I came to support Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. I am very sure Pakatan Rakyat will win. Because Anwar can bring the change to Malaysia. [He] can reduce the costs of living. We need to change,” M Siva told Malaysia Chronicle.
Papagomo no-show
The Election Commission’s returning officer Jusni Ismail had earlier estimated they could finish processing the nominations by 10.30pm. However, it was not to be and Jusni could only finalize the process an hour after his targeted time.
“We are ready to take in the papers of whomsoever wishes to contest,” Election Commission’s returning officer Jusni Ismail had earlier told Malaysia Chronicle outside the IKBN hall.
“At 10am, we will stop accepting nomination papers and around 10.30am, God willing, we should be able to announce the candidates.”
Umno sex blogger Papagomo, who had previously declared intentions to challenge Anwar at Permatang Pauh did not turn up. Papagomo had recently posted several videos on his website that PKR leaders have condemned as gutter politicking and a “barefaced” bid by Najib’s Umno party to tarnish Anwar’s credibility.
Umno promises a tough fight
The IKBN center is also where nomination papers for 3 state seats will be processed – Penanti, Permatang Pasir and Seberang Jaya.
In Penanti, PKR’s Norlela Yusoff will contest against Umno’s Ibrahim Ahmad; in Permatang Pasir, PAS’ Dr Salleh Man will fight it out with Umno’s Anuar Faisal Yahaya and in Seberang Jaya, it will be PKR’s arif Bahardin against Umno’s Mohammad Nasir Abdullah
The supporters camped at the Umno side of the IKBN compound was significantly lesser, less than 2,000 in total. Nonetheless, they gave a spirited welcome to their candidates, who – not to be cowed by the sheer size of Anwar’s supporters – linked arms and sang the BN standard as they marched out from the nomination centre.
Meanwhile, Umno leaders have vowed to give Anwar a tough fight on his home ground.
"When he (Mazlan) is ready to fight (in Permatang Pauh), it's like (Anwar) meeting his match. He is highly qualified, while his strong religious spirit and being a PAS leader before will definitely gain him sympathy from some of the PAS people and the fence-sitters,” Sidek Baba, a senior lecturer from the International Islamic University, had told Bernama last week.
"All these (factors) may give him (Mazlan) some advantage. It is a wise decision to send the best candidate there to face a leader who desperately wants to become prime minister.”
Selangor Pakatan Rakyat (PAKATAN) have released their state manifesto the 13th General Election (GE13). It finally sends out the wishes, suggestions and people friendly while being original and not copied from a rival election manifesto.
As a celebration to the voices of the people, one of the many highlights of the manifesto is the encouragement by Selangor PAKATAN on health and public transportation. These include providing free and user friendly public transportation including bus services in Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Klang and Kajang. Also bicycle lanes for new housing development in selected areas. Other noted upgrade is the assurance in the successful completion of the RM300 million Third Klang Bridge.
The decision to expand and create a public friendly transportation in critical towns such as Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya, Klang and Kajang is a welcomed decision. These towns and cities have suffered long enough from the lack of public transportation particularly after the pleas of the public towards RapidKL have been ignored. It is a start for other towns and cities across Selangor to enjoy the same perk.
As for the bicycle lanes in new housing areas, it is also a much welcomed introduction to a smarter, sustainable and also healthier living. Malaysia has in so far been left behind in the development of smart and sustainable living. There is hoped that bicycle lanes will be expanded to other already established towns and cities within Selangor. But a for now, it is one step forward by not only Selangor PAKATAN but also the citizens of Selangor for a healthier and smarter living. Not to forget it is this effort by Selangor PAKATAN will reduce our carbon footprint in the environment which a bonus for the ensuring our children will enjoy the healthy air that we currently take for granted as well as reducing the traffic congestion in the Klang Valley.
Klang has always been the face of traffic congestion. The two bridges have in so far reached their maximum capacity thus making any trip to Klang or Pelabuhan Klang a nightmare. A project once delayed, it is now back in action. Could this bridge be the savior of Klang citizens and the end of the horrific traffic congestion in Klang? Instead of a third time's a charm, maybe it is the fourth time that will bring good luck and good fortune to the the citizens of Klang.
Meanwhile, in terms of environment protection is the assurance to keep Selangor free of nuclear power. This may not seem pertinent in terms of economy but the assurance to protect the environment against the devastating effects of nuclear power is an assurance of greener technology as well as a safer environment for our children and their future. That alone outweighs any economical misfit.
In terms of public safety, initiating and expanding the state-funded "Community Policing" is a great way to initiate and strengthen community spirit within neighbourhoods. This provides an empowerment to the community to decide how they provide security as it is impossible for the police to patrol each and every single neighbourhood 24 hours and seven days continously. This will differ from the federal level of Community Policing as harder to be effective considering the lack of communication between the public and the federal government. If it were run by the state government there is a short bureaucracy maze to wander through by the public to get in touch with the state government. It is a beginning to a stronger relationship as well as a firmer cooperation between the public and the state government as well a the relevant authorities.
In terms of healthcare, PAKATAN in its new state manifesto shows that not only the welfare of women are deemed pertinent by PAKATAN, but also the healthcare and welfare of men are also not overlooked. Think tank Political Studies for Change (KPRU) welcomes the manifesto by PAKATAN that offers free examination of prostate and testicle cancer for men. According to statistics, prostate cancer is the 4th most common cancer among males with Indians with the highest rate, followed by the Chinese and lastly the Malays.
It is hoped through this initiative the statistics will be reduced and more lives will be saved through early detection. This is also a proactive initiative to provide awareness amongst ment and the importance of early detection.
Meanwhile, although there are similarities between BN manifesto of providing funds for 150 dialysis machines in government haemodialysis centres across the country, PAKATAN's manifesto on the other hand provides set up of a RM10 million Selangor People's Dialysis Fund for premises and RM4.5 million in treatment subsidies. Did PAKATAN up the ante? Yes. But it also can be seen as a more comprehensive assistance for those who are in need in dialysis no matter where the treatment are. This is not just exclusively for governmental centers as access to a dialysis treatment should be open to all Selangorians and not just confined to those receiving treatment at governmental centers.
PAKATAN generosity to social welfare does not end there. Differently-abled persons in Selangor will have the opportunity for more public spaces equipped with more differently-abled persons facilities as PAKATAN would ensure so. This is considering the lacking of facilities provided by the central government in the current situation. While European countries such as London have already upgraded their century old public tain stations to accommodate the differently-abled persons, it was reported that in the modern built Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC) LRT Station which was already equipped lone folded stairlift was ironically disabled. That is an example of the inadequate public facilities for the differently-abled persons. This initiative set by PAKATAN is a beginning to all other towns and cities to ensure the rights of the differently-abled persons are respected and treated with dignity.
In terms of education, as federal government under BN have allocated as much as RM5 billion for Skim Prihatin Pendidikan 1Malaysia (SPP1M) to assist students in the tertiary level. The Selangor state government under PAKATAN have taken to task launching a Menteri Besar Scholarship for postgraduate student with a state government bond, to form a Selangor Brain Bank.
How does this differ to BN's education manifesto? Well, for one, it forms a brain bank to ensure there are no brain drain in Selangor. It provides the cream of the crop comes back to Selangor and serve the Selangor state and its citizens. The other difference is that it lightens the load of the federal government as Selangorians will be taken care off in terms of furthering their tertiary students by the state government. Also to be noted is that there are no limitations to the courses that can be taken with the Selangor scholarship as opposed to the SPP1M which is only provided for certain special courses and in which it is not a loan unlike the SPP1M which is a study loan hence increasing the loan burden of a tertiary student.
As for the cultural development of Selangor, the Selangor state government in its manifesto will construct three Cultural Centres in Klang for the Malay, Indian and Chinese communities along the Klang River with state and private funding. Klang as known by Klangrians as a melting pot of both foreign and locals. The construction of these Cultural Centres will further celebrate the cultural differences of Malaysia and provide more colour and life into Klang, turning it into a cultural city. A city worthy of Malacca's reputation as a cultural city. This is turn would invite the tourists into Klang and thus enriching the city with fanciful aromas and colour and history as the Istana Shah Alam is also located in the city of Klang. In other words, the construction of teh Cultural Centres would increase the tourism revenue of Selangor and adding surpluses into the accounts of the state government.
The successful and highly regards Selangor Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (SELCAT) will be continued in the new term furthering the transparency goal of the state government and increasing the trust between the public and the state government. This is as opposed to the federal government in which the civil servants are not required to declare their assets.
Pakatan Rakyat (PAKATAN) negeri Selangor telahpun melancarkan manifesto negeri bagi Pilihan Raya ke-13 (PRU13). Ia akhirnya menerbitkan kehendak, cadangan and bersifat mesra rakyat di samping bersifat asli dan tidak ditiru dari manifesto milik lawan.
Sebagai sambutan kepada suara rakyat, salah sati dari manifesto yang memonjol adalah galakan yang dapat dilihat dalam manifesto PAKATAN Selangor adalah kesihatan dan pengangkutan awam. Ini termasuklah menyediakan pengangkutan awam yang percuma dan mesra orang awam termasuklah perkidmatan bas di Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya dan Kajang. Begitu juga penyediaan lorong basikal di kawasan perumahan baru di kawasan-kawasan terpilih. Satu lagi menaik taraf yang menonjol adalah pemastian untuk menyiapkan pembinaan Jambatan Ketiga Klang yang bernilai RM300 juta.
Keputusan untuk meluaskan dan mewujudkan sebuah rangkaian pengangukatan awam di bandar-bandar kritikal seperti Shah Alam, Petaling Jaya, Subang Jaya dan Kajang merupakan keputusan yang dialu-alukan. Bandar-bandar ini telah lama merasai kesengsaraan kekurangan pengangkutan awam terutamanya selepas rayuan dari orang awam kepada RapidKL tidak diendahkan. Ianya merupakan suatu permulaan kepada bandar-bandar dalam negeri Selangor untuk merasai kelebihan ini.
Manakala bagi pembinaan lorong-lorong basikal di kawasan perumahan baru, ianya juga merupakan pengenalan yang dialu-alukan kepada kepada kehidupan yang lebih bijak, lestari dan juga lebih sihat. Malaysia ketinggalan jauh dalam pembangunan bijak dan kehidupan lestari. Ianya adalah diharap bahawa lorong-lorong basikal ini akan dikembangkan kepada bandar-bandar yang sedia ada dalam negeri Selangor ini. Akan tetapi, buat masa sekarang, ianya merupakan satu langkah ke hadapan bagi bukan sahaja PAKATAN negeri Selangor, bahkan bagi warga negeri Selangor untuk kehidupan lebih bijak dan lestari. Tidak dilupakan usaha oleh PAKATAN Selangor ini akan mengurakan jejak karbon dalam alam sekitar di mana ianya suatu kelebihan untuk memastikan anak-anak kita akan menikmati udara segar yang telah dipandang rendah serta mengurangkan kadar kesesakan lalu lintas dalam Lembah Klang.
Klang pula dari dulu hingga kini menghidapi masalah kesesakan lalu lintas. Dua jambatan di Klang telah lama mencapai kapasiti maksimumnya, lantas menjadikan sebarang perjalanan ke Klang atau Pelabuhan Klang suatu mimpi ngeri. Sebuah projek yang terdahulunya ditangguh, ianya kembali untuk dibina. Adakah pembinaan jambatan ini menjadi penyelamat kepada warga bandar Klang dan pengakhiran kepada kesesakan lalu lintas di Klang? Sebalik melihat ini sebagai peluang ketiga yang gagal, mungkin percubaan yang keempat ini akan membawa tuah dan kekayaan kepada warga bandar Klang.
Sementara itu, dari segi perlindungan alam sekitar pula adalah kepastian negeri Selangor bebas kuasa nuklear. Ini mungkin tidak beberapa penting dari segi ekonomi, akan tetapi kepastian untuk melindungi alam sekitar tarhadap kesan mudarat kuasa nuklear merupakan suatu jaminan kepada galakan penggunaan teknologi hijau serta keadaan alam sekitar yang lebih selamat kepada anak-anak kita dan masa hadapan mereka. Itu sahaja membawa kelebihan dari sebarang kekurangan ekonomi.
Dari segi keselamatan orang awam pula, permulaan dan perluasan program 'Polis Komuniti' yang ditaja oleh kerajaan negeri merupakan salah satu cara yang positif untuk memulakan dan menguatkan semangat komuniti dalam kawasan perumahan. Ianya memperkasa kepada komuniti untuk memilih bagaimana mereka hendak menjamin keselamatan memandangkan ianya merupakan suatu usaha yang tidak munasabah untuk pihak polis meronda setiap kawasan perumahan selama 24 jam dan tujuh hari berturut-turut. Ini adalah berbeza dengan Polis Komuniti peringkat persekutan kerana ianya adalah lebih sukar untuk menjadi efektif memandangkan kekurangan komunikasi antara orang awam dan kerajaan persekutuan. Jika ianya dilaksanakan oleh kerajaan negeri, terdapat pagar sesat birokrasi lebih pendek untuk mengatasi oleh orang awam untuk berkomunikasi dengan kerajaan negeri. Ianya merupakan permulaan kepada hubungan lebih erat serta kerjasama yang lebih erat antara kerajaan negeri dan orang awam serta antara pihak berkuasa yang berkenaan.
Dari segi penjagaan kesihatan pula, PAKATAN dalam manifesto kerajaan negerinya menunjukkan bukan sahaja penjagaan kesihatan kaum wanita yang diutamakan oleh PAKATAN, malah, penjagaan kesihatan dan kebajikan kaum lelaki tidak diketepikan. Badan pemikir Kajian Politik untuk Perubahan (KPRU) mengalu-alukan manifesto oleh PAKATAN yang menawarkan pemeriksaan percuma bagi kanser prostat dan kanser testis untuk kaum lelaki. Menurut statistik, kanser prostat merupakan kanser ke-4 yang paling biasa di kalangan lelaki dengan kaum India mempunyai kadar tertinggi, diikuti oleh kaum China dan akhirnya kaum Melayu.
Ianya diharapkan melalui inisiatif ini akan membawa kepada pengurangan dalam kadar statistik and peningkatan dalam kadar nyawa yang diselamatkan melalui pengesanan awal. Ianya turut merupakan suatu inisiatif yang proaktif untuk menyediakan kesedaran kepada kaum lelaki dan kepentingan pengesanan awal.
Sementar itu, walaupun terdapat beberapa persamaan antara manifesto BN menyediakan peruntukan bagi 150 buah mesin dialisis di pusat hemodialisis milik kerajaan seluruh negara. Manifesto PAKATAN pula menyediakan peruntukan sebanyak RM10 juta Tabung Dialisis Rakyat Selangor bernilai RM10 juta bagi bangunan dan subsidi rawatan. Adakah PAKATAN menjanjikan sesuatu yang lebih dari BN? Ya. Akan tetapi, ianya juga dapat dilihat sebagai suatu bantuan lengkap kepada mereka yang memerlukan dialisis tanpa mengira di mana rawatan tersebut berada. Bantuan ini tidak terhad kepada pusat-pusat kerajaan kerana akses kepada rawatan dialisis sepatutnya terbuka kepada semua warga negeri Selangor tanpa terhad kepada mereka yang menerima rawatan di pusat-pusat kerajaan sahaja.
Kemurahan PAKATAN tidak berakhir di situ. Warga kurang upaya di Selangor bakal menikmati peluang kawasan awam dilengkapi dengan kemudahan orang kurang upaya kerana PAKATAN akan memastikan ianya dilakukan. Ini memandangkan keadaan kini di mana terdapatnya kekurangan kemudahan untuk warga kurang upaya oleh kerajaan persekutuan. Sementara negara-negara Eropah seperti London telah menaik taraf stesen kereta api yang berusia berkurun lamanya dengan kemudahan-kemudahan untuk warga kurang upaya, ianya dilaporkan bahawa stesen kereta api LRT di Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC) yang sudah memunyai satu- satunya lif tangga telah dilipat ironinya telah mengalami kerosakan. Ini merupakan salah satu contoh kekurangan kemudahan untuk warga kurang upaya. Inisiatif oleh PAKATAN ini merupakan permulaan kepada bandar-bandar lain untuk memastikan hak-hak kepada warga kurang upaya dihormati dan dilayan dengan bermaruah.
Dari segi pendidikan pula, kerajaan persekutuan di bawah BN telah memperuntukkan sebanyak RM5 billion untuk Skim Prihatin Pendidikan 1Malaysia (SPP1M) untuk membantu pengajian para pelajar di peringkat tertiari. Kerajaan negeri Selangor di bawah PAKATAN pula telah melancarkan biasiswa Menteri Besar bagi pelajar ijazah lanjutan dengan bon Kerajaan Negeri sebagai usaha membentuk sebuah Bank Pemikir Negeri Selangor.
Bagaimanakah ini berbeza dengan manifesto pendidikan BN? Ianya akan membentuk sebuah Bank Pemikir untuk memastikan tiada kekurangan warga negeri Selangor yang bijak. Ianya menyediakan peluang kepada yang terbaik untuk pulang ke negeri Selangor dan berkhidmat kepada negeri Selangor dan warga negeri Selangor. Perbezaan yang lain pula adalah ianya meringankan bebanan kerajaan persekutuan kerana warga negeri Selangor akan dipelihara oleh kerajaan negeri kerana pendidikan peringkat tertiari mereka yang dibiayai oleh kerajaan negeri. Juga, pendidikan manifesto PAKATAN tidak menyatakan kekangan untuk jenis kursus yang boleh dibiayai oleh skim bantuan ini. Ini adalah kerana skim SPP1M milik BN hanya terbuka kepada kursus-kursus yang terpilih sahaja. Juga, SPP1M merupakan pinjaman dana skim bantuan kerajaan negeri Selangor merupakan biasiswa lantas tidak akan membebankan masalah hutang para pelajar.
Bagi pembangunan kebudyaan negeri Selangor pula, kerajaan negeri Selangor dalam manifestonya akan membina tiga buah Pusat Kebudayaan di bandar Klang bagi komuniti-komuniti Melayu, India dan Cina di tepi Sungai Klang dengan dana milik kerajaan dan swasta. Bandar Klang yang dikenali oleh warga bandar Klang merupakan bandar yang kaya dengan budaya tempatan dan asing. Pembinaan tiga buah Pusat Kebudayaan ini akan membawa kepada penambahan warna dan kehidupan ke dalam bandar Klang, menukarkannya kepada sebuah bandar kebudayaan. Sebuah bandar yang mempunyai reputasi sama bandar Melaka sebagai sebuah bandar kebudayaan. Ini pula akan mengalu-alukan kedatangan para pelancong ke bandar Klang dan memperkayakan bandar Klang dengan pelbagai aroma dan warna dan sejarah apabila Istana Shah Alam juga terletak di bandar Klang. Dalam erti kata lain, pembinaan tiga buah Pusat Kebudayaan ini akan meningkatkan lagi hasil pendapatan dari sektor pelancongan negeri Selangor di samping manmbah lebihan ke dalam akaun kerajaan negeri.
Manifesto ini juga melihatkan penerusan Jawatankuasa Khas bagi Kecekapan, Kebertanggungjawaban dan Ketelusan (SELCAT) dalam meningkatkan lagi pencapaian ketelusan kerajaan negeri dan meningkatkan lagi kepercayaan antara orang awam dan kerajaan negeri. Ini adalah berbeza dengan kerajaan persekutuan yang tidak mewajibkan para penjawat awam mengisytiharkan aset-aset milik mereka.
Hari ini, rakyat Malaysia menyaksikan permulaan pertarungan aman di arena politik tanah air melalui proses Pilihanraya Umum ke-13, yang akan berakhir dengan aman pada hari mengundi tanggal 5hb Mei 2013.
Sebagai calon KEADILAN bagi kawasan parlimen P121 Lembah Pantai, saya menyeru kepada calon-calon lain agar sama-sama kita mempraktikkan budaya berpolitik yang baik, berhemah, dan berwibawa.
Oleh yang demikian, saya menjemput kesemua calon yang bertanding untuk:
1) menyertai satu DEBAT PERDANA LEMBAH PANTAI pada tarikh, waktu, tempat dan format yang dipersetujui bersama.
2) MENGISYTIHARKAN HARTA yang dimiliki;
3) mengeluarkan satu kenyataan bersama MENOLAK POLITIK KEGANASAN, POLITIK FITNAH, POLITIK LUCAH;
4) memastikan pilihanraya berjalan secara bersih dan adil, dengan MENGHALANG PENIPUAN, SOGOKAN, RASUAH, DAN PENGUNDI HANTU.
Marilah kita laksanakan bersama, demi Demokrasi yang lebih baik untuk semua.
Pilihan Raya Umum (PRU) ke 13 bagi P115 Batu menyaksikan buat pertama kali dalam sejarah 56 tahun Malaysia menghadapi pertandingan lima penjuru antara KEADILAN, BN, Berjasa dan dua calon Bebas. Penyandang kerusi Batu yang juga Naib Presiden KEADILAN Tian Chua bagaimanapun tidak gentar menghadapi persaingan sengit tersebut.
Taktik halang DAP guna logo sendiri makan diri - Anwar
Aedi Asri
Taktik Umno BN yang memperalat Pendaftar Pertubuhan (ROS) dengan menghalang DAP dari menggunakan simbol parti sendiri pada PRU 13, memakan diri, kata Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. "Mereka ingat kejutan ini akan menggemparkan kerana DAP dikait sebagai parti Cina, yang anti Melayu dan Islam.
"Kalau tujuan untuk takutkan rakyat, (ia gagal). Mereka ingat kalau DAP tak pakai (lambang) roket, akan ada masalah, orang tak boleh terima. Tak kerja bodoh ke ini?" katanya.
Berucap di Madrasah An-Nahdhoh, Permatang Pauh malam tadi, Anwar berkata, keputusan ROS sebaliknya melonjakkan lagi sokongan rakyat kepada Pakatan Rakyat.
"Mereka (Umno BN) ingat rakyat belum bersedia, fikir orang Melayu susah hendak pangkah DAP. Tapi, saya yakin ia membantu kita, malah untungkan Pakatan kerana lonjakkan sokongan.
"Pimpinan Umno BN bila hilang keyakinan, mereka ambil keputusan kurang bijak dan gopoh. Keputusan ini memakan diri," katanya.
Semalam, DAP memutuskan akan menggunakan logo PAS bagi Semenanjung Malaysia dan KEADILAN bagi Sabah dan Sarawak yang dipersetujui tertinggi pimpinan Pakatan.
Ketetapan itu diambil selepas parti itu menerima surat ROS berhubung penggantungan Jawatankuasa Eksekutif Pusatnya.
Seperti SPR, SPRM, polis dan institusi kehakiman, ROS juga dianggap antara jentera Umno BN untuk mengekal kuasa melalui 'keputusan teknikal'.
