Barisan Alternatif (BA) made it worthwhile for Shah Alam voters to show up for ceramah (political talks) by featuring Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at three sessions yesterday.

She accompanied PAS candidate Khalid Samad (Shah Alam parliamentary) and Keadilan's Animah Annette Ferrar (Kota Anggerik state) on the hustings in Taman Berkeley and Section 2 and 17 in Shah Alam.

In Section 2, Wan Azizah told some 300 people that she believed there is strong support for her in Permatang Pauh where she is contesting, as well as for Keadilan.

She claimed that the "continuous injustice" faced by her husband, jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, is still remembered by the people.

"Reporters ask me if the rakyat has forgotten Anwar and my reply is that, if Anwar has been forgotten, then why do you (the media) continue to ask me about him," she said.

The crowd - especially elderly women - appeared moved as she spoke about her husband who has yet to be granted bail and is therefore unable to undergo medical treatment of his choice to treat a slipped disc.

"As Anwar's wife and mother to our (five) children, I have tried to be as strong as possible for the past five years. But sometimes when I am with my children, especially our youngest daughter, things can be hard," she said solemnly.

"At times when she misses her father most, my daughter refuses to let go of my hand even while she sleeps. These are the times that I really miss his presence."

Wan Azizah, who said Anwar's case represents "just one of the many injustices that Barisan Nasional (BN) is capable of", urged voters to back opposition candidates to stop such incidents.

'Extra help'

Khalid asked voters to reject BN candidate Aziz Shamsuddin (left photo), whom he claimed was "a reject" from Umno's Gopeng division.

"He can't even win the contest for the Umno Gopeng division chief's post! They don't want him! Why should we vote for someone who cannot even get recognition from his kampung - those who know him best? Malulah kita kalau pilih dia (It would be embarrassing if we elect him)," said Khalid to the amused crowd.

Khalid further claimed that Aziz himself is aware of his lack of popularity and said this was why he had to seek "extra help" from ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his election campaign.

"This is no joke. Aziz had to rope in the ex-prime minister to give ceramah urging Shah Alam people to vote! But will this help him? " Khalid.asked, getting a response of Tak boleh! (No).

"If you want someone who just nods and follows his party, then you are welcome to vote the BN candidate. But if you want someone to represent you in Parliament, to air your grouses in the state assembly, then please support us," he said.

He also urged people not to be hoodwinked by BN propaganda that voting for the opposition would deprive them of economic development.

He said the BA line up - which consists of medical doctors, engineers, accountants, academicians and religious scholars - should be enough to negate the allegation.

"We are professionals in our respective fields... surely we will be able to run the state. In fact I think we can run it better than BN leaders," he said.

German-born Animah, who spoke in a heavily accented but fluent Malay, said Malaysians will be denied real development if BN remains in power.

She said that, even with a change of leadership (from Mahathir to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last November)," the BN has failed to prove its sincerity to reform the country".

Surprise element

The surprise presence of Keadilan Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor's wife, Bahirah Tajul, sparked excitement among those present with her fiery speech.

She gave an account of the "unfair treatment" of Ezam and two other Keadilan leaders who were not allowed to contest because of their recent criminal convictions.

In 1999, Ezam lost to BN's Mohd Zin Mohamad in Shah Alam by 1,440 votes. Ezam obtained 34,411 compared to Mohd Zin's 35,851.

Assessing the BA's current chances in winning Shah Alam, an opposition supporter admitted that it will be a tough fight for the opposition. The constituency's 68,573 voters comprise Malays (66 percent), Indians (16.7 percent) and Chinese (16.6 percent).

"In 1999, support for the opposition was more palpable than now. But Shah Alam residents are well-informed people and most of them professionals, so they might just make an intelligent choice by voting for BA," he said.