Idyllic Galas awaits political squalls
Before the news emerged of a possible by-election in the state seat of Galas, few were familiar with this area located at the southernmost part of Kelantan.
Before the news emerged of a possible by-election in the state seat of Galas, few were familiar with this area located at the southernmost part of Kelantan.
To put it mildly, Galas is huge. Encompassing an area of 1,881.48 sq km, it is bigger than the state of Malacca. It is also bigger than the states of Penang and Perlis combined. If you multiply its area by three, it would only be slightly smaller than Singapore.
However the Elections Commission electoral roll as at March this year only registered 11,064 voters, making this 12th by-election since the 2008 general election, one of the toughest, logistics-wise.
The state assembly seat is also one with a mixed electorate of 62 percent Malays, 21 percent Chinese, 15 percent Orang Asli and less than two percent Indians.
Considered rural by any standard, the only sign of modernity is the Gua Musang town located smack in the middle of Galas, which also has some fast food outlets.
Personality is key
Historically, it is a fight between Umno and PAS, although the Islamist party was only successful for the first time in the 2008 general election when Che Hashim Sulaima beat BN incumbent Mohd Saufi Deraman.
It is thought that Che Hashim (left) - who died on Monday after battling cancer - emerged victorious after the Chinese votes swung to PAS in the political tsunami.
But with only a majority of 646 votes, it is still very much slim pickings for PAS.
In fact, it is considered a BN stronghold, resting heavily on the influence of Kelantan prince and Gua Musang MP, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.
Apart from 2008, the only time any other party apart from Umno to have won the Galas state seat is Semangat 46 - an Umno splinter party headed by Razaleigh - in the 1990 and 1995 general elections.
But considering Razaleigh's oft vocal criticism of his own party, and the fact that he has been helping the PAS-led Kelantan state government's cause in obtaining oil royalties from the federal government, his support could mean victory or defeat for his own party.
Eco-tourism spot
But away from the political whirlwinds which will descend on the town in no time, Galas is actually pretty idyllic.
Although there are roads around the town, much of Galas is hilly terrain with Gunung Stong, Gunung Baha and Gunung Ayam standing majestically at the edge of the constituency.
Just half an hour's drive away from the town is one of the tallest waterfalls in South-East Asia - Air Terjun Jelawang - which stands at a dizzying 203m above sea level.
Situated halfway between Kuala Lumpur and Kota Bharu, Galas also houses one of the several entrances into Taman Negara.
There are two hotels in the area - three stars at best - and at last count, all the rooms have apparently been snapped up by political parties.
