UMNO-BN’s Blue Ocean Strategy: Vote Buying!!
posted by din merican–January 16, 2009
www.malaysiakini.com
Anwar accuses government of vote-buying
M Jegathesan | January 15, 2009
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim today accused the government of vote-buying and coercion as campaigning for a critical weekend by-election intensified.
The vote in Terengganu state, which pundits say is too close to call, is seen as a referendum on the coalition government’s performance since its disastrous performance in general elections last year.
A Merdeka Centre poll released this week found Malay voters were split between the two sides, while minority ethnic Chinese – who may swing the result – were leaning slightly towards Pakatan Rakyat, the opposition alliance.
Anwar accused the ruling party UMNO of buying votes for RM300-RM400 from Malays, whose support UMNO can no longer take for granted after the shock general election results.
“I am concerned how the Malay voters will vote. The Malays here are poor, money is being thrown by UMNO to fish for votes,” he told AFP.
“They are threatening civil servants. They are saying – we know who you will vote for.”
“UMNO is really desperate, you can see by the tone of their campaign. It is shocking,” he said after going on a walkabout in the state capital Kuala Terengganu, where the vacant electoral seat is located.
“I am confident that we will win, but I’m concerned about the onslaught by (the government) which is very strong.”
‘I want to win fair.’
UMNO candidate Wan Ahmad Farid rejected the allegations and said the opposition was making excuses to soften the blow of a defeat.
“I want to win fair and square. I want to win this election without any element of unhealthy practices,” he told AFP.
“The opposition is trying to hype it up. They say there is going to be phantom voters, they will say Umno is using money to buy votes, they will make all kinds of allegations as to why they can’t win this seat.”
Security was tight ahead of Saturday’s vote in the seaside state capital, with groups of police stationed at major junctions and riot squad officers patrolling the streets in jeeps.
The city was awash with posters, banners and photos of political leaders and candidates.
“With two days to go we are gearing up our campaign, and preparing for a showdown,” said Mustapha Ali, state chief of the Islamic party PAS which is fielding the opposition’s candidate for the vote, Mohamad Abdul Wahid Endut.
“The mood is good. We can feel the wind of change is blowing. But it is a neck-and-neck battle.”
-AFP
” …kalau berani & tidak takut dibuang kerja, silah !!” (malaysiakini)
stcin - January 16, 2009 at 5:10 am
UMNO-BN thinks the rakyat can be bought with money. KT folks must show UMNO-BN that Malaysians are not cheap and have integrity unlike UMNO and their pet monkeys in the MCA, MIC & Gerakan.
Vote them out.
Malaysia deserve so much better. Lets not have crooks, thieves, racist thugs and idiots run this country.
Free Malaysia - January 16, 2009 at 10:37 am
While voters will vote for PAS to support Pakatan Rakyat/PAS, tomorrow is Big Day, we urge a ‘fair election’ be conducted by the BN led gomen election machinery. All voters must ensure they are out early and conduct themselves in orderly manner, be on the look out on trouble makers, threat or cheat and abuse of gomen power.
It’s a last call and PAS should do more and not let their guard down before the slippping in of phantom voters by unscrupulous, irresponsible elements – cheaters and betrayers of Rakyat and country.
panca - January 16, 2009 at 11:35 am
i see this as a usual scenario in Malaysian politics each when there’s an election around.the opposition gonna accuse BN of many terrible things and BN gonna deny it.If the opposition wins the election,then they will praise SPR for doing a good job.if the opposition lose the seat,then more accusations to come.
i urge all voters to look out for themself.we know of what the PR and BN supporters are capable of.dont neglect the fact that some of PR supporters are goon by hitting people.choose wisely and reject any sum of money both from PR and BN people.
now that’s fair and square.
ohteenanger - January 16, 2009 at 2:54 pm