The mainstream media's intense publicity on Umno's Baling parliamentary seat candidate Dr Mashitah Ibrahim may chart her downfall in the election instead of boosting her chances.

Her opponent, Baling incumbent Taib Azamudden told malaysiakini that locals including those from Baling's Wanita Umno division, have openly expressed their uneasiness at the publicity garnered by the good-looking Mashitah.

"When the leadership pays too much attention to an outsider, the locals are somewhat sidelined. The locals seemed to shy away from her (Mashitah). In contrast, people's support towards my campaign has surged considerably and I am thankful to Allah for that," he said when contacted today.

"If one observes her campaign activities, she is rarely accompanied by Wanita Umno members."

Taib - the former imam of the National Mosque - claimed he is not daunted by the popularity of the attractive tudung-clad former lecturer who has appeared countless times on local television Islamic programmes.

"Yes, she may gain some support from fence sitters and of course the Puteri Umno members. But from what I see, she has failed to impress the older Muslim women. I think she may not have done her homework before she agreed to contest here and that may be a mistake," he said.

Working for people

He expressed his confidence that the people of Baling, including the new non-Muslim voters from Kuala Ketil, recently added into the constituency following the re-delineation exercise last year, will vote in his favour.

"I have worked with the people of Baling all year long since the day I won until parliament was dissolved. God willing, if I win I will continue to work with the people," he claimed.

"I have never left out the Chinese, Indians and the local Siamese from my programmes. I have worked with people of diverse racial and religious backgrounds from the day I got elected in 1999... God willing, if I win, I will continue the work."

Taib's confidence may not be unfounded, said a journalist who visited the constituency last week, adding that winning Baling is an uphill battle for Mashitah.

"Dr Mashitah took a wrong footing on the first day by shaking hands with men. Of course it's nothing if that happens in KL but it's a big no-no for such a conservative place like Baling," he said.

He said the fact that most locals are satisfied with Taib's service as a parliamentarian will not help her at all.

"A retiree told me that Baling does not need a leader who stays in KL and only knows how to talk and give ceramah. He said that Taib's track record is unblemished as he has been very attentive to their needs and at the same time vocal in Parliament," he said.

A female KL-based government officer who will be heading back to her hometown to cast her vote this Sunday said that she will definitely vote for Taib who had improved the standard of living of the less fortunate in Baling.

"He helped build low cost houses for the poor, sell their products like kerepek and coffee when he gives ceramah in KL. Last Hari Raya Haji he brought back 70 cattles for korban. Even an Umno leader can't do that," she claimed.

"He even raised funds to build a bridge in one of the kampungs. He did this all by himself without the federal government. Like the rest of my family, I am sticking to him "

Hasan Ali confident too

Meanwhile in Parit Buntar, PAS vice president and incumbent Dr Hasan Ali felt that his chances will not be threatened by the Islamic credentials of his opponent, Umno's ulama Abdul Hamid Zainal Abidin.

"As a matter of fact, among the Muslims, his so-called Islamic credentials carry no weight at all. So I don't think it will threaten me in any way," he said.

In 1999, Hasan defeated BN/Umno contestant Abdul Rahman Suliman by a majority of 5,449 votes. Hasan obtained 15,931 votes as opposed to Abdul Rahman's 13,837.

He said Muslim voters are aware that Abdul Hamid was among those responsible for the multi million ringgit loss suffered by the Pilgrims Fund Board or Tabung Haji.

"He is also responsible for allowing Tabung Haji to invest in companies linked to gaming activities," he added.

"Further many still recall his controversial khutbah (sermon) at the National Mosque five years ago supporting Umno's un-Islamic policies which angered many of those present that they left the mosque in disgust."

He also said that most Muslims believed that Abdul Hamid had failed to perform his duties as the prime minister's religious adviser when holding the portfolio of Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

"So all these are plus points for me. Apart from that, I have also worked hard for the people in Parit Buntar. Things look fine and people are saying that I am leading this contest," Hasan said.

Hasan is also contesting to retain his Sungai Burong state seat in Selangor.