Barisan Nasional politicians should stop intimating and blackmailing the electorate into voting for their candidate in by-elections or the general election.

"It is a mockery of the democratic process when voters are pressured by subtle threats and not allowed their right to choose their preferred candidate..

dap education roundtable meeting 111006 m kulasegaran"Voters should not be intimated with freebies to vote for candidates who may not measure up to their expectations," said DAP national vice-chairman M Kula Segaran (left).

"In any democratic country the people are considered the masters and politicians, their civil servants. However, this process is reversed in Malaysia.

"Politicians call the shots and expect the public to bow to their demands," said Kula who is also Ipoh Barat MP.

He was commenting on the many "if you vote for us" pledges by BN politicians to entice voters to back their candidate in by-elections.

"BN is still exhibiting a colonial mentality of superiority over the people after 50 years of sole-rule of the country," said Kula.

Voters are discerning

"Previously, they led voters by their noses like a herd of cows, with a some freebies thrown in, to ensure election victories.

mohammad nizar jamaluddin"However, after the March 8 tsunami, the electorate has woken up and voters are more critical and discerning in their choice of who they want as their representative.

The old school mentality of throwing in the ‘if you vote for us freebies' and arm-twisting tactics do not work anymore," he added.

A case in point is the recent Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election where ousted Mentri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamauluddin (right) of PAS won inspite of the many promises made BN.

Kula said BN leaders, including (Deputy Prime Minister) Muhyiddin Yasin (below), had promised the sky and stars to voters in Kuala Sepatang fishing village.

Money belong the public

"But the fishermen did not bite the bait. Nizar won, which goes to show that the electorate are matured in their political thinking and are not easily duped by BN's subtle blackmails."

Kula also said that during the recent Manik Urai state by-election in Kelantan, muhyiddin yassin universiti malaya 020609 had promised to upgrade a 40-year-old bridge in Manik Urai Lama if BN won the state seat.

Voters were savvy and decided PAS candidate Mohd Fauzi Abdullah was their man although he won with a slim majority of 65 votes.

How many more ‘if you vote for us' subtle blackmails before BN realises that voters can no longer be fooled? he asked.

"Anyway, how can BN hold voters to ransom using the 'if' factor when the money for development belongs to the public?"