By M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat

The by election for Teluk Intan has entered its fifth day. DAP‘s candidate Dyana Sofya winning chances on nomination day was rated at 40 %. Although the big turnout at DAP ceramahs have been most encouraging, she is still obviously the underdog.

The whole BN machinery is now in Teluk Intan campaigning for the BN candidate Mah Siew Keong. Mah, a former two time local MP and a former Deputy Minister as well as current Gerakan’s President is more than strong in this area.

This by election has great political significance and implications and it is thus a crucial battle that DAP will go all out to ensure Dyana‘s victory.

A win for Dyana will not only mean that the Teluk Intan voters are ready to break BN’s politics of race, it will also mean that the voters are showing their objections to BN’s continued incompetency in running the nation.

A vote for DAP will mean a vote against BN’s GST. It will also mean a vote against the abuse of the 1948 Sedition Act against opposition leaders.

Although Mah refuses to admit this but the fact is clear, If he loses in the by election, he will definitely be appointed a Senator and then a Minister. In this scenario, the people of Teluk Intan should vote in Dyana to have DAP‘s first female Muslim MP, with a Gerakan Minister from the back door. Vote one get one extra free!
It is a fact that in all elections, the BN is known to use its power and advantage in the 3 M’s- money, machinery and media. All these are already happening in Teluk Intan.

Yesterday I led a team of volunteers to make a house to house visit and campaign at Nova Scotia Estate Teluk Intan. Initially we were not permitted to enter the Estate but when we drew attention to the fact the BN chaps have landed in the estate, we were reluctantly permitted to enter.

As we were campaigning, we noticed a lot of cars parked near a hall. As we were approaching the hall, we saw people coming out with hampers worth approximately RM150 each.

Upon making enquiries, we were told that the meeting was sponsored by BN supporters and the hampers were given to the locals who are all voters at the locality.

Under the Election Offences Act, any form of grafting to buy votes is an offence. But the relevant enforcing department rarely enforces the law against the wrong doers.

I am sure this form of corruptive act is very prevalent. The Election Commission and law enforces must take action on the people who are involved in corruptive acts.

Besides, there have been displays of gangsterish and bullying behaviors by some BN members or supporters. Such conduct must stop.

I call on the Prime Minister to direct BN campaigners and supporters to fight us fair and square. Make this by election a clean, fair and free election.