PKR crippled by logistics, financial constraints
Kuek Ser Kuang KengPublished: Apr 8, 2011 8:01 AM | Updated: Apr 8, 2011 12:39 PM
In contrast to the flying start in urban cities, the PKR campaign in rural areas is being hit by logistic and financial hurdles, crucial elements in conveying its message to voters in the information-deprived interior.
Into the third day of the 10-day campaign period, posters of PKR candidates are still absent in the rural constituencies, including Engkilili, Batang Ai, Lingga and Belaga. Only party flags were flying along the roads.
In contrast to the flying start in urban cities, the PKR campaign in rural areas is being hit by logistic and financial hurdles, crucial elements in conveying its message to voters in the information-deprived interior.
Into the third day of the 10-day campaign period, posters of PKR candidates are still absent in the rural constituencies, including Engkilili, Batang Ai, Lingga and Belaga. Only party flags were flying along the roads.
The campaign machinery in these areas were also awaiting pamphlets and other campaigning materials, supposed to be designed and printed by party headquarters in both Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, to be delivered to them.
"Without posters, it is hard for us to introduce our candidate to the voters because the constituency is too big. There is no way the candidate can visit all the longhouses here in the 10-day campaign period.
"It is a bigger problem for candidates who are new to voters. We need to put up posters to inform them who the PKR candidate is," said a PKR campaigner.
"So far we can only put up old party flags left over from the last election."
Interior far from information age
Unlike urban constituencies where alternative information can be obtained through the Internet and nightly political ceramah organised by the opposition, voters in Sarawak's interior have to rely on campaign materials and oral messages from opposition campaigners and candidates who call on them.
The dense population in cities is also tailor-made for the speedy dissemination of messages among the voters ,meanwhile, in rural areas, it takes hours to travel from one longhouse to another in the same constituency just to visit a few dozen voters.
Only several candidates who have the financial ability are able to print their own posters and leaflets such as Layar candidate Stanny Embat, who had his stylish banners strung up in the constituency immediately after nomination.
Asked on this matter, PKR vice-president Fuziah Salleh revealed that candidates' posters will be transported statewide from Kuching starting this afternoon.
"We can only wait for the nomination to be over before sending the posters for printing because anything can happen at the last minute," she said when contacted today.
PKR announced their candidates only two days before the April 6 nomination day with a discrepancy on the total seats contested, resulting in media report conflicting numbers.
Different from the DAP which concentrated on Chinese-majority urban seats where thousands of ringgit could be raised at every ceramah from the more financially well off urbanite, this is not an option in rural areas where most villagers continue to live in poverty.
Snap projects lame dog impression
Hence the PKR machinery in those areas has to depend on limited financial assistance from party headquarters.
"We are not a rich party but we still can manage with very little resources," said Fuziah.
Despite all the constraints, Fuziah stressed that the spirit on the ground is very encouraging.
"Our party logo is very strong on the ground. The recognition of our logo is strong."
Meanwhile, Snap's campaign in the rural constituencies seemed to be weaker than PKR's.
Malaysiakini observed that within the area of Lingga, Engkilili, Layar and Bukit Saban where Snap had fielded candidates, hardly any of its flags could be seen.
It was learnt the Dayak party's candidates adopted a more personal approach by focusing their campaign on house-to-house visits.
Into the third day of the 10-day campaign period, posters of PKR candidates are still absent in the rural constituencies, including Engkilili, Batang Ai, Lingga and Belaga. Only party flags were flying along the roads.The campaign machinery in these areas were also awaiting pamphlets and other campaigning materials, supposed to be designed and printed by party headquarters in both Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, to be delivered to them.
"Without posters, it is hard for us to introduce our candidate to the voters because the constituency is too big. There is no way the candidate can visit all the longhouses here in the 10-day campaign period.
"It is a bigger problem for candidates who are new to voters. We need to put up posters to inform them who the PKR candidate is," said a PKR campaigner.
"So far we can only put up old party flags left over from the last election."
Interior far from information age
Unlike urban constituencies where alternative information can be obtained through the Internet and nightly political ceramah organised by the opposition, voters in Sarawak's interior have to rely on campaign materials and oral messages from opposition campaigners and candidates who call on them.
The dense population in cities is also tailor-made for the speedy dissemination of messages among the voters ,meanwhile, in rural areas, it takes hours to travel from one longhouse to another in the same constituency just to visit a few dozen voters.
Only several candidates who have the financial ability are able to print their own posters and leaflets such as Layar candidate Stanny Embat, who had his stylish banners strung up in the constituency immediately after nomination.
Asked on this matter, PKR vice-president Fuziah Salleh revealed that candidates' posters will be transported statewide from Kuching starting this afternoon.
"We can only wait for the nomination to be over before sending the posters for printing because anything can happen at the last minute," she said when contacted today.PKR announced their candidates only two days before the April 6 nomination day with a discrepancy on the total seats contested, resulting in media report conflicting numbers.
Different from the DAP which concentrated on Chinese-majority urban seats where thousands of ringgit could be raised at every ceramah from the more financially well off urbanite, this is not an option in rural areas where most villagers continue to live in poverty.
Snap projects lame dog impression
Hence the PKR machinery in those areas has to depend on limited financial assistance from party headquarters.
"We are not a rich party but we still can manage with very little resources," said Fuziah.
Despite all the constraints, Fuziah stressed that the spirit on the ground is very encouraging.
"Our party logo is very strong on the ground. The recognition of our logo is strong."
Meanwhile, Snap's campaign in the rural constituencies seemed to be weaker than PKR's.
Malaysiakini observed that within the area of Lingga, Engkilili, Layar and Bukit Saban where Snap had fielded candidates, hardly any of its flags could be seen.
It was learnt the Dayak party's candidates adopted a more personal approach by focusing their campaign on house-to-house visits.
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