TEMERLOH, Feb 28: As expected, the Barisan Nasional campaign in Kerdau has been one dominated by an outpouring of money for the voters, while underdog PAS struggles with its approach to adapt a more personal approach with voters.
PAS leaders have earlier vowed not to indulge in any character assassination, even as police reports had been filed over leaflets showing superimposed images of opposition leaders indulging in vile acts.
Its first campaign highlights in Kerdau was to launch Pakatan Rakyat's 'Orange Book' at the state level, in a move to enlighten this mostly rural constituency over Pakatan Rakyat’s policies should the coalition win the next general election.
Among issues raised by PAS were the continous absence of clean water supply in Kampung Pulau Mandi Angin, the Kerdau town centre's sorry state which had not undergone development in spite of its linkage with the East Coast Highway's Temerloh exit, as well as Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob's exploitation of Yayasan Pahang scholarships which are said to be distributed like 'ang paos' at a school in Teluk Sentang.
A constituent, Abdul Aziz Ismail, 55, said the manner the RM250 scholarships were now being liberally dished out was a far cry from the recent past, when parents had to undergo rigorous procedures before hoping for a scholarship.
Prime Minister Najib Razak’s visit to Felda areas has also been marked by cash, with an announcement of some RM10 million worth of development projects.
Najib had however claimed he could not allocate more funding for fear of being accused of vote-buying, promising to increase federal allocations for Kerdau on condition that the constituency voted in the BN candidate, Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad.
Meanwhile, in a repeat of previous by-elections, the state religious department is tightening its grip on 22 mosques in Kerdau to prevent PAS leaders from speaking to voters in the mosques.
Kerdau goes to polls together with Melaka's Merlimau state constituency on March 6.
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