KUALA TERENGGANU, 9 Jan 2009: Umno and PAS politicians demonstrated political maturity and friendliness when they campaigned door-to-door today for the Kuala Terengganu by-election.
Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin and PAS candidate Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut had bumped into each other in Kampung Raja Chendering in the Batu Buruk state constituency about 4pm and struck up a warm conversation.
Khairy and several Barisan Nasional (BN) by-election workers were on “kapcai” motorcycles doing their house-to-house rounds when he met Mohd Abdul Wahid who was about to start his rounds in the same neighbourhood.
For about 10 minutes, the Rembau MP and PAS candidate and their supporters mingled, chatted about their campaigns and even joked before continuing their task.
Khairy was also heard telling Mohd Abdul Wahid that he hoped PAS would not resort to personal attacks and some of the others present responded with “Let the best man win”.
Commenting on the meeting, Khairy said both parties were working hard for victory.
“It was a friendly encounter. He (Mohd Abdul Wahid) said BN’s approach and campaign were good because no personal attacks were made on the candidates. We also congratulate him because both campaigns are mature and conducted in a good manner.”
He said there were PAS supporters who were not comfortable with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s presence and strategy of using personal attacks in the campaign.
“Some found it unacceptable for Anwar to liken Umno to Israel,” he added.
The Kuala Terengganu by-election will see a three-cornered fight involving Mohd Abdul Wahid, BN candidate Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh and independent Azharudin Mamat @ Adam. Polling day is on 17 Jan. — Bernama
