BN has advantage in Bkt Selambau

SUNGAI PETANI, 3 April 2009: Former Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin is confident Barisan Nasional (BN) has the upper hand to re-take the Bukit Selambau state seat in the 7 April by-election.

The former Merbok member of parliament said there was a change in attitude of voters after they had seen the failure of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in fulfilling their promises of the last general election.

 “The people feel neglected following no rise in standard of living and that only BN is committed to doing so,” he told Bernama when met while campaigning for the BN candidate Datuk S Ganesan at Taman Ria Jaya here today.

Zainuddin said people hoped BN would win as the younger generation would lose out if PKR or an independent candidate won.

“The people’s problem today is survival. The economic stimulus package depends on a BN government that is strong,” he said.

Meanwhile, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail is also hitting the campaign trail in the constituency.

She has turned up to talk at ceramahs, but has kept her speeches short – only 15 minutes – but she spices them up with Mandarin and Tamil words to attract the voters.

With the dearth of issues to raise, she only speaks on trivial matters but this tactic has served her well and drawn the crowds.

“I once studied Mandarin during my student days but I’ve forgotten it,” she said at ceramah in Paya Nahu and several other areas last night.

At the ceramah she spoke on Umno’s fear to face the people, the investigation of cases involving Umno leaders and the opposition coalition’s determination to set up the government.

The Bukit Selambau by-election will see contests among the PKR’s S Manikumar, BN’s Ganesan and 13 independent candidates. — Bernama