KUALA TERENGGANU: As the race to represent voters in Kuala Terengganu heats up, both sides have rolled out their big guns to woo the Chinese.
While Barisan Nasional (BN) by-election director Datuk Seri Najib Razak dazzled the Chinese at a dinner in Kg Tiong on Tuesday, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) brought out its most enigmatic leaders last night.
At a Chinese restaurant fronting the South China Sea in Tanjung, some 800 people turned up at the DAP-organised function to listen to the opposition.
PAS’ Datuk Anwar Tan Abdullah sang praises of the Islamic party-ruled Kelantan and dismissed myths of oppression under PAS. And lending their support to the opposition were former minister in the prime minister’s department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and former Wanita MCA leader Datuk Dr Tan Yee Kew.
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang was also in attendance. While the highly respected Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat arrived to a standing ovation from the predominantly Chinese crowd, the loudest cheers were reserved for Zaid.
Nik Aziz, who has been Kelantan menteri besar since 1990, dispelled the notion that Islam is the domain of the Malays, saying the religion had reached China before arriving in Malaysia.
To thunderous applause, Zaid said he was pleased with the efforts of PR to woo voters here regardless of race or religion. “This is a very good show put up by DAP, PKR and PAS. What is taking place here only goes to show that there is no more room for race-based politics,” Zaid told the crowd.
“As such, I urge you to give your votes to Pakatan Rakyat.” Later, Zaid clarified to reporters that he was supportive of PAS as the party had managed to satisfy voters here despite the allegations of extremism against it.
To a question, Zaid said his endorsement of PAS did not contradict his earlier struggle against PAS when he was an Umno member in Kelantan.
“I’m still not supportive of some of their policies but I respect their ability to manage different races well,” said the former Kota Bharu MP. However, he quickly dismissed suggestions that he was ready to join any party.
“I’m good where I am now and there is no hurry to join any party for the time being.”
Chan Kok Leong
The Edge
15/01/09
While Barisan Nasional (BN) by-election director Datuk Seri Najib Razak dazzled the Chinese at a dinner in Kg Tiong on Tuesday, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) brought out its most enigmatic leaders last night.
At a Chinese restaurant fronting the South China Sea in Tanjung, some 800 people turned up at the DAP-organised function to listen to the opposition.
PAS’ Datuk Anwar Tan Abdullah sang praises of the Islamic party-ruled Kelantan and dismissed myths of oppression under PAS. And lending their support to the opposition were former minister in the prime minister’s department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and former Wanita MCA leader Datuk Dr Tan Yee Kew.
DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang was also in attendance. While the highly respected Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat arrived to a standing ovation from the predominantly Chinese crowd, the loudest cheers were reserved for Zaid.
Nik Aziz, who has been Kelantan menteri besar since 1990, dispelled the notion that Islam is the domain of the Malays, saying the religion had reached China before arriving in Malaysia.
To thunderous applause, Zaid said he was pleased with the efforts of PR to woo voters here regardless of race or religion. “This is a very good show put up by DAP, PKR and PAS. What is taking place here only goes to show that there is no more room for race-based politics,” Zaid told the crowd.
“As such, I urge you to give your votes to Pakatan Rakyat.” Later, Zaid clarified to reporters that he was supportive of PAS as the party had managed to satisfy voters here despite the allegations of extremism against it.
To a question, Zaid said his endorsement of PAS did not contradict his earlier struggle against PAS when he was an Umno member in Kelantan.
“I’m still not supportive of some of their policies but I respect their ability to manage different races well,” said the former Kota Bharu MP. However, he quickly dismissed suggestions that he was ready to join any party.
“I’m good where I am now and there is no hurry to join any party for the time being.”
Chan Kok Leong
The Edge
15/01/09
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