While the campaign for the Manek Urai by-election in Kelantan enters its final phase, the fiery orator continues to do what he does best - setting the stage on fire.
Last night's ceramah in Kampung Sungai Peria was no exception.
This time around, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim trained his guns on Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and his offer to build a bridge.
The Umno number two had said that if Barisan Nasional wins tomorrow's by-election, it would build a bridge to link Manek Urai Lama with Manek Urai Baru, the very next day.
Anwar however is of the opinion that the bridge should extend to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's office, and called on the watchdog to spring into action on this matter.
"Who does Muhyiddin think he is? Is he King Solomon? Making claims and promises that he will build the bridge next day," he said.
"This is Umno and BN, they are stupid to make such promises. He (Muhyiddin) is not qualified to say that a bridge can be built immediately.
"Let us send a clear message and reject Umno and BN in this by-election," he told some 5,000 people who attended the talk.
Also present was Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, and DAP national adviser Lim Kit Siang.
'Parliament will tremble'
Anwar also praised Nik Aziz as an efficient and responsible leader, who managed to reduce the state's debt with the federal government.
"In fact, I can verify that Kelantan's debt is one of the lowest, compared to other states. This is due to the prudent measures adopted by Nik Aziz who consistently paid what they owed.
"Unlike Muhyiddin when he was Johor menteri besar. That state still owes a large sum of money to the federal government and they have not been making their payments as regular as Kelantan," he said.
Anwar also said that Pakatan Rakyat MPs are united in raising the Kelantan oil royalty issue during the next Dewan Rakyat sitting.
"We would demand Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak who is also the finance minister to explain in the House. We in Pakatan have agreed not to let Najib off the hook.
"If they (the federal government) refuse to answer, we would make Parliament tremble," he thundered.
On June 17, the Kelantan government placed its claim of RM1 billion in royalty from the federal government for oil extracted 150 miles off Kota Bharu shores.
Last week, its senior exco member Husam Musa claimed that the Kelantan government possessed valid documents to back its claim.
'Send Najib a clear message'
Meanwhile, DAP's Lim said Manek Urai voters must send a clear message to Najib in conjunction with his 100th day in office by rejecting Umno and BN.
The veteran politician said the mainstream media has given the premier a glowing report card, including a survey of 1,700 Malaysians of various races.
"I strongly believe (the approval for Najib) is a distorted truth.
"I ask the voters in Manek Urai to send a clear message to Najib and all Malaysians. Let this be an impetus for Pakatan to win the 13th general election with Anwar as prime minister," he said.
Following a string of by-election defeats under Najib's reign, the DAP stalwart said BN and Umno is desperate to win in Manek Urai to show that they have not lost Malay support.
Accusing the ruling coalition of being involved in corrupt practices, Lim cited the RM12.5 billion Port Klang Free Zone controversy as an example.
Each voter in Manek Urai could have received RM10 million or 10 more schools could have been built for that amount, he said.
Tomorrow's by-election is a straight fight between Umno and PAS.
Umno has fielded its Kuala Krai Youth chief Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat as its candidate, while PAS is banking on its Kuala Krai treasurer Mohd Fauzi Abdullah.
The seat fell vacant following the death of PAS' Ismail Yaacob, a five term assemblyperson on May 22.
Manek Urai has 12,293 voters of whom 99.2 percent are Malays, while the remainder are Chinese and Indians.
Malaysiakini
14/07/09
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