PKR to erect pondok panas on polling day
PKR will adhere to the Election Commission’s condition to bar active campaigning on polling day, but will still erect electoral booths (pondok panas) near all polling stations during the Penanti by-election in Penang.
The party also disagrees with the EC’s rule to restrict the electoral campaign period for eight days from nomination day on Saturday May 23 until midnight on May 30, the eve of polling day.
PKR national election machinery director Saifuddin Nasution slammed the eight-day campaign period as ridiculous, insufficient and inadequate for any contestants to prepare the election machinery, mobilise workers and supporters and disseminate their messages across to electorates.
“A short campaign period is unjust and unfair,” he told reporters after speaking at a public forum organised by the party Bayan Baru division’s Youth wing in Penang last night.
He said the party would start its campaign soon, well before nomination day, but would stop canvassing votes on polling day on May 31, to provide the cool off period for electorates.
He said pondok panas were erected by political parties not to canvass votes but to compliment EC and provide an electoral service to voters to cast their ballots without much hassle.
“It’s a free service provided by political parties to all voters. I don’t understand why the EC wants to stop this,” said Saifuddin, the Machang parliamentarian.
He also recalled that EC banned pondok panas in the 2004 general election, only to lift it before the polling day without informing non-Barisan Nasional parties.
“Then Barisan Alternatif did not erect any pondok panas but BN did. We are going ahead with our pondok panas,” he said.
EC head Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said political parties and their supporters will be prevented from canvassing for votes and campaigning on polling day in the Penanti by-election to allow a cooling-off period for voters to make their choice.
“We have allowed a campaign period from the nomination day until midnight eve of polling day on May 31, and all parties will have to campaign within that (period),” he added.
He also did not rule out the possibility that the number of supporters accompanying candidates on nomination day would be limited to a “sensible” number, so that the police strength can also be reduced.
To this, Saifuddin pointed out that it was the duty of the police, not the EC, to maintain law and order during election period.
“An election is a democratic fun fare for Malaysians. What’s wrong in political parties mobilising its supporters by the thousands to accompany their candidates during nomination day?
“EC should stick to its job of conducting a fair and just electoral process for all parties and people,” stressed Saifuddin, who said the PKR election machinery was well oiled and geared up to secure a big victory in the Penanti by-election.
Looking at a big win
Disclosing that the party had identified its position, prospects, issues and problems it would face in the campaign, he said his team had drawn out a comprehensive and aggressive election strategy to tackle all obstacles to secure a big win.
“We are prepared and up to the challenge in Penanti. I believe our winning prospect is good although we have to work hard to secure it.
“We are looking at a big win,” said Saifuddin who will head the Pakatan Rakyat election operations in Penanti.
The seat fell vacant when former Penang deputy chief minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin resigned on April 16
The state seat comes under PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim’s Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency – a PKR stronghold.
In the Permatang Pauh by-election last August, Penanti voters gave Anwar a thumping majority of 3,276.
PKR’s Abdul Rahman Abdul Kadir won the state seat in 1999 before losing it to Permatang Pauh Umno chief Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid in 2004. He in turn lost to Mohammad Fairus last year.
First-timer Mohammad Fairus took the seat with a majority of 2,219. He polled 7,346 votes against Abdul Jalil’s 5,127.
Former academician and PKR state deputy leader, 58-year-old Mansor Othman is the PKR candidate for the by-election.
Although Umno has not decided on whether to field a candidate, Saifuddin believes the rival party would eventually contest due to grassroots pressure.
He expects Umno to play up the issue of ‘Mansor the outsider’ to stir local sentiments during the campaign, but it would not have much impact on the result.
“There are so many people who have contested and won outside their home state, including myself.
“I am a parliamentarian from Kelantan and previously won the Lunas state seat in Kedah even though I was actually born in Singapore,” said Saifuddin.
Fairus issue needs to be addressed
When contacted, Mansor, the PKR Balik Pulau division chief who was born in Bayan Baru, acknowledged that Umno would use the issue to stir local sentiment.
“But I don’t think it would work because people are more interested in service-orientated representatives, someone who can deliver.
“Moreover I am not an alien to the area for I have worked for the party in Penanti since I was the state chief in 1999,” he told Malaysiakini.
Saifuddin however, conceded that the party needed to address the disgruntlement of PKR supporters and constituents over the “Fairus episode.”
An estimated 30 percent of the electorate is said to be unhappy over the manner the party leadership handled the controversy.
“We will explain thoroughly on the reasons for Fairus to resign and the need to replace him with a new leader,” said Saifuddin, adding that the former Penanti representative would also join the party campaign.
Athi Veeranggan, Mkini
