LIVE from Bkt Selambau: FRU disperses crowd again
My contact in Bukit Selambau reports:0026: Three PKR supporters are believed to have been detained for not dispersing, though I am unable to confirm this.2355: Police have given a final warning for the crowd to disperse. My contact is concerned that there could be arrests.2350: In Jalan Cinta Sayang, the FRU are asking the crowd to disperse, but some are jeering and not moving.2340: Over at Bandar Baru in Bukit Selambau, Anwar has addressed a crowd of around 5,000 as the eve of polling draws to a close.In Simpang in Bukit Gantang, a crowd of 5,000 has just listened to Husam Musa and other NGO activists talking about whether Umno is really the defender of Malays and whether Pas is a puppet of the DAP.
Batang Ai: BN does not practise discrimination?
The BN claims it does not practise discrimination in dishing out projects. Oh yeah? Read these news snippets and form your own conclusions.
BN does not practise discrimination: Masing
Borneo Post, April 1, 2009
Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president Dato Sri Dr James Masing said the Barisan Nasional (BN) does not practise ‘pilih kasih’ (favouritism) when it comes to disbursing funds for projects or allocating projects.
http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=49590
NCR land devt aimed at helping owners
Borneo Post, April 3, 2009
…On the by-election, Gramong said it was very important for the voters to make the right choice. He said the BN government, since 1963, had been faithfully dishing out development projects like schools, health centres, hospitals, roads, water and power supplies not only to towns but also rural areas. He said a lot could be achieved if they voted for the BN.“Vote the opposition and you will be in the political wilderness. Your representative will be sitting with the other opposition members, shouting to have their voices heard. They will be blaming and criticising others for their own shortcomings and failures,” he said.http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=49666
Batang Ai: More Santa ‘instant noodles’ projects
The abuse of government resources continues unabated ahead of the Batang Ai by-election in Sarawak
Pilot project in Sarawak
The Star, April 6, 2009A children’s activity centre will be set up at a longhouse here under a pilot project to provide early education for rural children….Sixty-two people were given assistance totalling RM15,475, including 33 senior citizens, one disabled person and 21 who received aid for their children….the 36-door longhouse needed repairs and requested an allocation from the Government….In response, Dr Ng pledged to raise the RM40,000 needed.http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/4/6/nation/3638062&sec=nation
Syed Hamid was speaking to reporters after presenting birth certificates to 38 recipients from the Lubok Antu district at Rumah Johnson, Kaong Ili, here yesterday. The oldest recipient was 55 years old, while the youngest was nine.
Batang Ai: BN holds the edge
Dalbinder reports that things are looking bleak for PKR in Batang Ai, Sarawak:If the PKR wins, it will be by a slim majority. If it loses, it will also be by a slim majority.Almost every long-house gets free decorations – any maybe more – from the BN.Jawah’s past has cast some doubts on some of the local folks. He looks physically not really fit, which will affect his campaign.And the folks here are also asking, “Where are the top PR leaders?”
LIVE: Police move in at ceramah in Bukit Selambau
A Pakatan supporter vigorously waves the DAP flag to welcome the crowd to the party’s dinner in Simpang, Bukit Gantang tonight – Photo by Anil Netto
Pas posters flutter over the largely Chinese crowd at the DAP ceramah in SimpangClose contest in Batang Ai
Good news. Aliran Monthly is releasing its latest cover story online in time for the by-elections. The lead story puts the spotlight on Batang Ai.
Agi idup, agi ngelaban? Will the River burst the Dam?Why don’t you subscribe to the magazine? Click here.
And here are a couple of stories I wrote:
A referendum on the Perak power grab MIC’s future hangs in the balanceAnd this is a must-read on the distribution of ASB shares: Did you know…?LIVE from Bkt Selambau: “Big shock” announcement
Ceramah only due to start at 9.30pm
Bkt Gantang: Pakatan confident but cautious
2046: This afternoon, I checked out a Pas briefing session at Kampong Boyan aimed at activists who have volunteered. Among those represented there was the group opposing the teaching of Maths and Science in English. The language issue is likely to feature prominently in the Pas campaign.At the same time, the party is also touting its “Pas for all” makeover aimed at making the party more acceptable to other groups in the spirit of “constructive engagement”.1940: Just had dinner after earlier tucking into some cool Taiping cendol from a road-side stall, which advertises itself as “generasi ketiga” (third generation), so I’m pretty stuffed! Covering these by-elections is hard work…Forgot to mention that the PKR MP told me the BN’s main issues in Bukit Gantang were about derhaka and Pakatan’s land titles to non-Malays.According to him, Mahathir was expected to be in Bukit Gantang today, but the PKR MP said the Pakatan is not worried as his presence in town would actually help the alliance. It would be interesting to see how Mahathir reconciles the derhaka issue with his earlier constitutional amendment affecting the royalty. Moreover, the MP added, people still remember Mahathir’s divisive role in Umno during the party split in 1987. He said Mahathir’s influence in Umno is overestimated and reminded me that Muhkriz finished last among the three Umno Youth candidates vying for the top post.It’s pouring cats and dogs now; I am not sure how it’s going to affect the ceramahs tonight featuring Nizar, Azmin Ali, Abdullah Sani and DAP politicians.1828: As expected by campaigners in Bukit Selambau, where 30 per cent of voters are ethnic Indians, a couple of Hindaf detainees are among the 13 ISA detainees released ahead of the by-elections. And as predicted, Hindraf leader Uthayakumar isn’t among those released.1813: The PKR MP I spoke to this morning predicts that PKR will win Batang Ai by 1,000 votes, and Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang both by 3,000-vote majorities. Much will depend on the turnout of the Chinese voters in Bukit Gantang.I asked him whether he was aware of the nature of Anwar’s “Big Shock” announcement tonight.“Yes,” replied. But he was not telling. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be a big surprise, would it.“Is it really going to be a kejutan besar (big shock)?” I asked.“Yes, a big one,” he replied knowingly.We shall see.1741: Blog reader Karma reports:
The people here until now seem to favour Pakatan candidate more. Eight out of 10 people talked to wanted Nizar to win. Nizar is a very popular personality here. He is popular among all races. Not much has been mentioned about the BN candidate. Towering Nizar has overshadowed him.The racial card played by some campaigners here did not favour many residents in this constituency. They felt its the same old story used only to get votes. A man in his 30s said, “Kita tetap miskin. Tengok apa yang dibuat mereka. Tengok mereka berkereta besar, berpakaian hebat. Tengok kami; tengok rumah kami; tengok anak-anak kami. Miskin dari dulu sampai sekarang.”
Najib springs a surprise of his own
Najib in his maiden speech as PM tonight:
In this spirit, I would like to announce that the government has decided with immediate effect, to remove the temporary ban on TWO news publications, release 13 detainees from ISA detention, and conduct a comprehensive review of the Internal Security Act. Additional details will be announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs shortly.Well, not quite a surprise.
Stand by one another
On a gloomy, blustery evening in Penang, as a heavy downpour lashes the island, I dedicate this song to all of you who believe in justice, freedom, human rights and compassion. Let us stand by one another no matter what.
Officers raid Suara Keadilan printing firm
The Najib administration has not got off to a bright, democratic start.Just 90 minutes after Najib was sworn in as the PM, KDN officers raided the firm that prints the PKR newspaper, Suara Keadilan, its editor Zunar told me.
PKR to make “big shock” announcement tomorrow night
So we have a new Prime Minister. That should be the main news story.But I just spotted this interesting snippet from Suara Keadilan Online. PKR strategist Saifuddin Nasution is quoted as saying that a surprise revelation, which will have a “big impact” on all three by-elections, will be made in Bukit Selambau tomorrow at 9.00pm. Anwar is due to make an appearance then.I contacted a couple of PKR sources and they were in the dark as to the nature of the announcement. One of them said Anwar is playing his cards close to his chest. A more sceptical media source, however, told me they are used to all these “big announcements”, which then turn out to be something of an anti-climax.Anyway, keep an eye out for tomorrow night. This report from Suara Keadilan Online:
Akan ada kejutan besar esok- SaifuddinFriday, 3 April 2009 • Kategori: Berita Semasa, Berita Utama, ParlimenOleh: Rusnizam Mahat.KUALA LUMPUR, 3 APRIL (SK) – PENGARAH Strategi keADIlan, Saifuddin Nasution berkata satu kejutan besar akan berlaku esok yang bakal menyaksikan impak besar kepada tiga pilihanraya kecil di Dun Bukit Selambau, parlimen Bukit Gantang dan Dun Batang Ai.
Bkt Selambau: MIC pulling out all the stops
2350: Blog reader Karma reports:
On the ground it’s all out for PR. We see people of all races helping PR candidate win the election. This is history. Pas is giving undivided support to ensure victory for PR candidate. Malays, Chinese and Indians are carrying flags in support of Manikumar. Seemingly, all races are seen united for a common cause. When asked a Malay shopkeeper he said, “Kita tak kisah Melayu, India atau Cina. Kita mahu keadilan untuk semua. MB kami orang baik. Calon PR pun orang baik.”Looks like the independents are not getting much support. An Indian professional quipped in Malay, “Kacau punya orang. Kita mahu satu orang saja. Ini Mani (Manikumar) baik punya orang. Kita mahu dia dalam kerajaan.”Unfortunately, BN candidate is not getting much support. Out of 10 people interviewed, eight were not happy with him winning the by-election. Neither are BN component parties aggressively campaiging for him. In contrast, PKR supporters are seen all out to ensure a big win for its candidate.1743: Is it just me or are you all also experiencing slow Internet downloading speeds?1738: Among the independent candidates, insurance agency owner T Chandrarajan appears to be the most visible in the poster war. He was also featured in an NST “online exclusive” interview. While I was in town, I noticed quite a few of his campaign workers plastering his posters with the aeroplane logo all over the place. But my contact tells me it is R Loganathan who commands a sizeable following among the independents.
Batang Ai: Salcra plantations yield low dividends
Making sure the message gets across in Batang Ai – Photos by a Sarawakian
Scene from Lubok AntuIn Batang Ai and Lubok Antu, oil palm plantations are mainly under Salcra (which is Sarawak’s equivalent to Felcra, except that its record is poorer).For an analysis of the low dividends paid to the participants of Salcra’s oil palm land development schemes, go here.Bkt Selambau: Voices from ground favour Pakatan
2330: Greetings from Bukit Selambau! Reached here at 9.45pm via the Sungai Petani North exit of the North-South Highway. For the second night running, a police check-point had been set up immediately after the toll booth.Arrived at a nasi kandar restaurant, only to see some activity outside, where a small crowd of curious onlookers had gathered. Turns out it was the former Jerai PKR chief, B Kalaivanar, giving a speech in the open-air just outside the restaurant.Kalaivanar said he did not belong to the PKR nor the BN, but was an “NGO”. I didn’t quite catch what he was saying as he was about to leave but from what I understand, he seemed in favour of the BN now. Moments after he left with his small entourage, a silver police CID car arrived. Too late.
Bkt Selambau: Indoor ceramah… or open-air rally?
Anwar addresses a crowd of about 5,000 last night, just before introducing the candidate, a somewhat shy S Manikumar, whose voice was already hoarse from campaigning.
Bkt Gantang: Pakatan worried about over-confidence
A rustic scene from Bukit Gantang – Photo by JongMany expect Pakatan to easily win Bukit Gantang. But Pakatan campaigners, it would seem, are worried about over-confidence leading to complacency.Wong Kah Woh reports from Ipoh in his blog:I was at Simpang PR-DAP ceramah yesterday with 300 people attending. The atmosphere is worrying in the sense that the public are too confident of Nizar victory while in fact that is not the case. Not to forget, Barisan is also having free dinners here and there to buy votes, more particularly there were two free dinners of 180 tables each just nearby our ceramah yesterday.The crowd attending our ceramahs play a very important role. It is not only that they have to be convinced to vote for Pakatan-Nizar. They must also help to convey the message to the rest, to the fence-sitters, on how to ensure a Pakatan-Nizar’s victory.
Bkt Selambau: Anwar uses creative “indoor ceramah”
Indoor ceramah, outdoor crowd: Anwar speaks from the covered corridor of a shoplot while the crowd listens from the street outside – Photos by Anil Netto
Anwar speaking from inside a private residence to a crowd of 5,000 seated on a field oppositePakatan politicians are using creative means to overcome various restrictions.Take for instance the police restriction on ceramah in “public places” in Kedah, which effectively bans open-air public rallies.The restrictions confine the ceramah to indoor locations. So the Pakatan politicians are now stretching the definition of “indoors”. While the politicians addressing the crowd are now indoors – in shophouses or inside private premises, the crowds spill out to the streets or fields outside the indoor locations.Abdullah, Tsu Koon must explain Batu Kawan land deal
It is interesting to hear Abdullah Badawi saying that the second Penang Bridge will proceed as planned even if he is no longer PM.Abdullah and former Penang chief minister Koh Tsu Koon have not explained how a little known but well-connected company, Abad Naluri, managed to get hold of over 1,000 acres of potential prime land in Batu Kawan on the mainland, just around the site of the proposed second Penang bridge.On 16 Jan 2004, just one and a half months after Abdullah took over as PM, the Penang Development Corporation entered into a ‘master agreement’ to sell eight plots of land in Batu Kawan to the “fortunate” Abad Naluri. In Nov 2006, Abdullah officiated at the ground-breaking ceremony of the second Penang Bridge, located near these plots.On what basis was one company granted such a vast area of land and at what price?
