Fresh from naming PKR's candidate to take on the might of Barisan Nasional at the Batang Ai by-election, PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim immediately trained his sights at the ruling coalition, accusing its of power abuse in trying to win the state seat.
He accused the state Land and Survey Department of trying to ‘buy' votes.
He said that the department had sent out letters to many Iban voters asking them for copies of the identity cards as well as their bank account details.
"This is abuse of power. This is corruption and against any regulations," Anwar told reporters in Kuching this morning after introducing Jawah Gerang as the PKR candidate for the by-election.
While it could not be ascertained as to why the land department had sought these details from the voters in Batang Ai constituency, many opposition figure in the state are saying that it was being done to "use the identity cards of these voters to vote and to pay them money for giving their IC details".
Anwar said that the election process should be kept clean. He also called on all PKR members to uphold high ethical standards in the election process.
In the by-election to be held on April 7, Jawah, 55, will be facing BN's Malcolm Mussen Lamoh. Nomination is on March 29.
Anwar said that he decided on Jawah after gathering various views and feedback from several longhouse elders from Batang Ai whom he visited yesterday.
DAP gives full backing
Meanwhile, state opposition leaders have given their seal of approval for Jawah to contest in the by-election.
State DAP veteran Chong Siew Chiang said that Anwar's decision to nominate Jawah was a wise one.
He said his party would give its utmost support for PKR and Sarawak National Party (Snap) to ensure victory in what he described as a very crucial by-election.
"This is the first time that the three parties will be working closely together in an election. DAP members are already in Batang Ai to help out," he said.
Chong said that there were more than 300 Chinese voters in Batang Ai.
"This is the beginning of the change of the road to the Batang Ai," he added.
PKR's director of operations for the by-election Nicholas Bawin also said that his supporters will work hard to ensure a victory for PKR.
Nicholas was the early favourite to be nominated to contest for the seat but Anwar sprang a surprise today by naming Jawah. He then appointed Nicholas as the person in charge of the election.
Nicholas also urged his supporters to remain loyal to the party.
Political observers also said that the PKR stood a better chance of wresting the seat from BN with Jawah as the candidate.
Jawah has served 22 continuous years as a representative for the Lubuk Antu parliamentary seat until 2006.
Malaysiakini
23/03/09
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