PAS will come out in full force to help DAP defeat BN in the Teluk Intan by-elections, said PAS leaders when met in their Teluk Intan branch today. In an interview with PAS leaders in the area, the Islamic party highlighted issues and challenges in the Changkat Jong area with respect to Pakatan support and BN’s smear campaign.
According to PAS, BN’s tarnishing of DAP’s image included distributing books to the local Malay community containing lies that DAP as a communist party which cannot be trusted. However, the area’s PAS leaders are convinced that all their party members which number about 3,000 strong, would not fall prey to these schemes.
“We are confident that our [PAS] ardent supporters are not ones who would be swayed by BN’s smearing of DAP”, said Hj. Mohd. Akram Mohd. Yusuf, Changkat Jong Elections Director.
Hence, PAS will stress on issues close to the heart of the people here; which includes GST amongst others, they said. A study by Penang Institute on GST had concluded that the tax would affect Malays the most, contrary to the ruling government’s assumption that the tax would burden all Malaysians equally.
Also, according to former assemblyman for Changkat Jong Hj. Mohd. Anuar Sudin (pic), falling global commodity prices have also adversely affected the price of palm oil and led to a slowdown of Malaysia’s palm oil exports. This development has severely affected the livelihood of the Malay community, he said.
Another issue brought forward by PAS was the deterioration of infrastructure specifically roads damaged by heavy trucks and tractors that needs to be addressed.
Added to that, Anuar Sudin had criticised BN for not working out concrete solutions to solving the Temporary Occupation Licence (TOL) land issue.
“These TOL land are occupied by riverside Malay villagers. When I asked the district officer to transfer the villagers from the area, he answered that the villagers did not want to vacate and move to new premises.”
“But the villagers had expressed otherwise,” Anuar explained.
In the Changkat Jong area, PAS has actively paved inroads to small villages and organized “ceramah” sessions and door to door visits, to build their relationship with and learn the needs of the Malay community. More of these sessions are needed if Pakatan is to win here, they said, adding that the PAS machinery will be in full force after the Teluk Intan candidates are announced.
“After nominations day, PAS would be more proactive in campaigning for the DAP candidate who is to stand here,” they asserted.
When asked whether DAP’s opposition to Hudud had affected the sentiments of the Malay voters here, Perak Elections Director Khairul Anuar Ismail said,
“Yes, it does play in the minds of the Malays, but there are many common goals shared by PAS and DAP which are important, and I think voters will understand that.” -The Rocket
