Despatches from Permatang Pauh No.2 : Election Fever Grips Permatang Pauh

Permatang Pasir
August 15, 2008 (7.15 pm)

In case you are wondering why I am in Permatang Pauh, may I say that I am here as a special aide to Dato Zahrain Mohamed Hashim, KeADILan’s Penang State Chief. My terms of reference are to act as liaison with outstation bloggers and local NGOs and other civil society groups and to accompany him on the Anwar Ibrahim’s campaign rounds and report on developments so that Malaysian and overseas readers, who are interested in the by-elections are kept up to date.

My report this time concerns the visit to Permatang Pasir where Anwar Ibrahim addressed some 500 supporters and helpers of PAS. It was held at the modest home of Ustaz (Teacher) Hamdan of PAS.

As usual Anwar was very punchy and entertaining as well when he took the stands to motivate them for nomination day tomorrow and geared them for what promises tobe a long and bruising 10 day campaign period. He opened his speech by reminding them that this by-election was not about a contest between Anwar Ibrahim and UMNO’s Ariff Shah. Much is at stake in the coming days and they must stay determined and focused on ensuring that Pakatan Rakyat wins the by-elections with a convincing margin. What is at issue is the future of Malaysia which is in dire need of change. He stressed that they should no longer accept UMNO’s mismanagement of the economy and abuse of power by its leaders.

He said that the partnership of PKR, PAS and DAP in Pakatan Rakyat is strong, although the Malay mainstream media like Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian have been trying their utmost to show that there are serious differences between the leaders with the coalition. The fact that PAS’ leaders like Nik Aziz and Hadi Awang and others will be speaking at ceramahs throughout the campaign period shows that Pakatan remains strong in their resolve to make the partnership work, and to ensure that Anwar Ibrahim enters Parliament on August 27, 2008 as the new leader of the Opposition and from there to Putrajaya as Prime Minister.

He made it clear that the rights of the Malays and the status of Islam as enshrined in the constitution will not be compromised when Pakatan Rakyat forms the next government. All partners in the coalition are with him on this matter. Furthermore, this is his sacred duty as a Malay and a Muslim. But as a leader of Malaysia and good Muslim, he will also defend the rights of non-Muslims and ensure that as Malaysians, we all live in harmony. He will focus on the Rule of Law and rebuilding the economy so that there will be jobs and opportunities for all.

He expressed confidence that Permatang Pauh will remain in Pakatan’s hands after August 26, 2008, but he was not taking anything for granted. He wanted them to work hard and be vigilant and appealed to his audience that they should pray to God for his victory.

He has received information that the UMNO-BN political machine is determined to ensure that he will be defeated by all means imaginable. He is very concerned that Badawi and his colleagues are still trying to find ways to disqualify him. If they cannot do so on nomination day, then they will play dirty politics.

In fact, he said that he was advised that members of Puteri UMNO were on house to house campaign to buy voters. In exchange for payment, a voter must give a copy of the identity card. I was told by some people in Bukit Mertajam yesterday that the going rate is between rm1000 and rm1500. Anwar advised his audience that given his knowledge of the people in Permatang Pauh, he was confident that they would vote with their conscience, not be tempted by such gesture.

Tonight, he will be at two ceramahs in Kampung Telok and Penanti before retiring for a well deserved rest—Din Merican