Run-Up to K. Terengganu by-election BN highlights positive future, people projects

By : Rosli Zakaria


Datuk Ahmad Said says the opposition has not made good on polls promises

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Barisan Nasional is banking on its track record as a government capable of helping the people in its campaign to retain the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat.

At public events, its leaders have been busy talking about various projects aimed at sharing the state's wealth with the people with the primary objective of eradicating poverty, providing better education and creating economic opportunities.

"Matters close to the people's heart and often raised by the opposition, relating to poverty, education and economic opportunities, will be highlighted and explained.

"Political rhetoric will take a back seat," said Datuk Ahmad Said, menteri besar and state BN chief.

"We want the people to look at the future in a positive light.
"We want them to see what the BN government has done and what more we can do for the people and the state.

"We want them to vote BN for continuity."

Ahmad said the opposition had its opportunity to institute changes in Perak, Selangor, Kedah and Penang, but since the general election, the people there are still waiting for their promises to be fulfilled.

"If they (the opposition) cannot deliver on promises made during the general election, what makes you think they can deliver on promises made in a by-election?

"PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) hoodwinked the people by talking about taking over the ruling government on Sept 16.

"Pas, on the other hand, has shown its true colours. Its coalition with PKR and DAP was just a marriage of convenience. When it raised the hudud issue, it created anxiety among its partners.

"We try to avoid talking about the opposition because we know they are self-destructive.

"We will, instead, just concentrate on our strengths and overcome whatever weaknesses we may have."

On the ground, he said the spirit of BN party workers was high and state party leaders, as well as BN candidate Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid, had been going on their rounds to tackle problems and issues head-on.

The BN, Ahmad said, had been explaining the rationale behind most of the people-centric projects initiated by the government, for example in education where it is committed to making all its citizens literate in information technology.

The fact that by next April, 25,000 pupils in Year Five will each be getting a laptop computer had been well received by the public who saw the initiative as an evolution in education.

Similarly, the promise of replacing the zinc roofs of houses of poor families with asbestos and giving four hectares of land to anyone who wanted to grow padi bodes well with the people.

"We have records to prove our success and we will be banking on it to get the votes." he added.