Bukit Gantang roundup: Day 3

The Bukit Gantang by-election got off to a wet start with rain spoiling numerous campaign activities for several days before nomination day last Sunday.

However, campaigners were granted a brief respite today after several days of heavy torrential rain during the afternoon till late evenings.

The sunny atmosphere allowed more flags, posters and billboards to be erected with the most prominent ones being placed on Jalan Simpang, which connects Taiping to the Bukit Gantang constituency.

These billboards, belonging to Barisan Nasional, outstandingly displayed the coalition‘s new slogan for the campaign: 'One Malaysia, One Dream, Choose BN'.

Half the billboards however were dedicated to attacking PAS. In one instance, the billboard featured a picture of an Utusan Malaysia headline which read ‘Patik mohon derhaka' in reference to the infamous quote by ousted Perak menteri besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin.

The billboard ended with a parting shot: ‘The decision is in your hands'.

New leaflets

The quote referred to what Mohd Nizar said in rejecting Perak sultan's call for him to resign in favour of Umno's Zambry Abd Kadir on Feb 3.

Another billboard showed children clad in PAS flags and posters during the Kuala Terengganu campaign with a captioned message: ‘PAS exploits small children'.

Billboards aside, a new set of BN hand-distributed leaflets also made its rounds today, poking fun at Pakatan Rakyat leaders.

One leaflet featured caricatures of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim on his failed attempts at toppling the BN federal government by Sept 16 last year.

Another leaflet, which did not resort to attacking personalities, stood out because it explained from a legal standpoint on why the Perak sultan had the right to ask Mohd Nizar to step down.

The leaflet, which emulated the PAS logo to stress its point, included a chronology of the Perak political turmoil and a frequently-asked-questions (FAQ) style explanation of the events.

PAS not bothered

Meanwhile, over at the PAS daily press conference by the party's election director Asmuni Awi, the party expressed little concern for the onslaught against Mohd Nizar's alleged act of derhaka (treason).

"This issue does not affect the Malay voters. They have accepted our sincere explanations on the matter. History shows who the real traitors to the sultan are," he said.

Today also witnessed two major Umno leaders making their rounds in the area - the newly-elected Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Mustapha Mohamed.

Shahrizat took to a public function in Matang Road and she was repeatedly mobbed by her adoring fans, comprising almost entirely of Malay women.

Taking the rostrum later, the cosmopolitan Shahrizat displayed her capability to speak to a rural crowd when explained the Perak political turmoil.

"When voters removed the BN state government in the last general election, it was an act of emotion, like husband and wife fighting. However, they still deeply love each other.

"But now, that year of darkness is over. Umno is regaining strength. Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) and Abdullah (Ahmad Badawi) have buried the hatchet while Najib (Abdul Razak) successfully became party president," she told the crowd.

Another highlight of the day was the decision by the police to bar all political parties from raising the issue of murdered Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu or questioning the Sultan's decisions.

Meanwhile, a large Umno ceramah is taking place tonight in Changkat Jering with Menteri Besar Zambry and former PKR youth chief Mohd Ezam Noor.

Zambry made it to the ceramah despite having to attend two dinner functions organised by MCA and PPP in opposite poles of the large constituency.