Sarawak BN has readied a RM20 million 'war chest' from 'contributions' to fend off attempts by the opposition to seize the Batang Ai state seat from the ruling coalition on April 7.
Some have alleged that a portion of the money could be used for vote buying.
"The rest would be for fueling the election machinery in the run-up to election day. Instant noodle projects would come from government money," said a source.
"The BN only managed about a little over half the 8,000-odd votes the last time. The idea this time is to ride to a crushing victory on pure, unbridled and naked money power.
"They are making no bones about it and are throwing caution to the wind," he added.
Unlike in Peninsular Malaysia now, where Umno recently had an expensive outing in Kuala Terengganu without success, instant noodle projects have made all the difference in cruising to victory at the polls in Sarawak in the past.
Hence, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's pledge in Bukit Selambau that the federal government would do away with the practice of instant noodle projects during elections is likely to go largely unheeded in Batang Ai.
Meanwhile, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) chief James Masing denied any plans to buy votes.
"We don't have any such fund nor is it a wise idea in the long run. Voters are not meat for sale," he said.
'Instant noodle projects stink'
Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, if confirmed by BN chief and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today, is expected to take on Nicholas Bawin Anggat of PKR in a straight fight in Batang Ai if the Sarawak National Party (Snap) stays out.
Snap will make a decision on the Batang Ai by-election this Saturday, according to a member of the party's central executive committee, William Sirai Atom.
The by-election follows the death of state assemblyperson Dublin Unting Ingkot, 55, on Feb 24 after failing to come out from an induced coma in which doctors had placed him following a stroke he suffered in May last year.
"Instant noodle projects stink," is the blunt response of social activist John Brian Anthony.
"They come in with bulldozers and everything and make a big show of doing things all over the place," he said.
"None of these so-called projects are ever completed. Once the results are in, all the machinery will just vanish overnight, leaving everything in shambles.
"Not many people, especially the younger voters, will be taken in by these instant noodle projects this time," he added.
Malaysiakini
16/03/09
Some have alleged that a portion of the money could be used for vote buying.
"The rest would be for fueling the election machinery in the run-up to election day. Instant noodle projects would come from government money," said a source.
"The BN only managed about a little over half the 8,000-odd votes the last time. The idea this time is to ride to a crushing victory on pure, unbridled and naked money power.
"They are making no bones about it and are throwing caution to the wind," he added.
Unlike in Peninsular Malaysia now, where Umno recently had an expensive outing in Kuala Terengganu without success, instant noodle projects have made all the difference in cruising to victory at the polls in Sarawak in the past.
Hence, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's pledge in Bukit Selambau that the federal government would do away with the practice of instant noodle projects during elections is likely to go largely unheeded in Batang Ai.
Meanwhile, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) chief James Masing denied any plans to buy votes.
"We don't have any such fund nor is it a wise idea in the long run. Voters are not meat for sale," he said.
'Instant noodle projects stink'
Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, if confirmed by BN chief and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today, is expected to take on Nicholas Bawin Anggat of PKR in a straight fight in Batang Ai if the Sarawak National Party (Snap) stays out.
Snap will make a decision on the Batang Ai by-election this Saturday, according to a member of the party's central executive committee, William Sirai Atom.
The by-election follows the death of state assemblyperson Dublin Unting Ingkot, 55, on Feb 24 after failing to come out from an induced coma in which doctors had placed him following a stroke he suffered in May last year.
"Instant noodle projects stink," is the blunt response of social activist John Brian Anthony.
"They come in with bulldozers and everything and make a big show of doing things all over the place," he said.
"None of these so-called projects are ever completed. Once the results are in, all the machinery will just vanish overnight, leaving everything in shambles.
"Not many people, especially the younger voters, will be taken in by these instant noodle projects this time," he added.
Malaysiakini
16/03/09
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