FROM day one, the Barisan Nasional (BN) has been pulling out all the stops in its Bagan Pinang by-election campaign. Sure, the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) managed to muster more than 4,000 supporters — more than double the BN’s — on nomination day. But since nominations closed, it is clear that the PR is struggling to […]
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Zulkefly Omar’s dilemma
By Shanon ShahJOURNALISTS have been warning each other that Zulkefly Mohamad Omar, PAS’s Bagan Pinang by-election candidate, is not the world’s best orator. Unfortunately, this is true. At a PAS-organised ceramah in Taman Eastern on 5 Oct 2009, The Nut Graph observes that Zulkefly is ponderous in his speech. The chants of “Allahu akbar” that greet him […]
“Jalan-jalan cari undi”
By Shanon ShahIsa Samad poses at a Hari Raya Aidilfitri event in Bagan Pinang “THIS is part of my programme for the Bagan Pinang by-election: jalan-jalan cari undi,” says Tan Sri Isa Samad, 60, riffing off the popular TV3 food travelogue, Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan. The 3,000-strong crowd here in Taman PD Utama initially looks more interested in […]
“Pick right MIC candidates,” says Denison
PUTRAJAYA, 13 July 2009: The 1,400 delegates at the MIC general assembly in September must pick leaders who can win back the country’s 1.8 million Indian Malaysians into the Barisan Nasional (BN), said political analyst Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria. “This is most important. MIC politics is not just politics involving the MIC delegates. It is […]
A tough battle for BN in Manik Urai
By Zedeck SiewTuan Aziz visiting a school in Manik Urai Baru FOR the past week of the Manik Urai by-election, Abdul Aziz has been sitting on the porch of the Manik Urai Baru home of the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate, overseeing a daily serving of breakfast. “Looking after the food,” Abdul Aziz says. “I support BN because […]
My ideal politician
By Dr Farish A NoorTHE historian’s lament is that he or she is often witness to mistakes of the past, and yet is unable to prevent them from recurring. In the end, the historian is cursed with the Cassandra complex and accused of being a tiresome doomsayer. At the risk of being black-balled from dinner parties, I would like […]
Nik Aziz on the ideal PAS candidate
KOTA BARU, 1 June 2009: A person who displays both an ulama (Islamic scholar) and professional image is the preferred choice of PAS to be its candidate in the 14 July Manik Urai by-election. PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said these qualities were important for PAS to continue in the footsteps […]
“YB” Kamarul Ramizu
By Shanon ShahKAMARUL Ramizu Idris, the eyebrow-raising independent candidate in both the Bukit Gantang and Penanti by-elections, is being skewered for coming out in support of the Internal Security Act (ISA). “Whether the ISA exists or is abolished is meaningless now. It just should not be abused, either by individuals or the government. It must be transparent […]
The Aminah enigma
By Shanon ShahAminah AMINAH Abdullah apologises a lot. She apologises for even slightly raising her voice, for not providing food and drink to reporters, for arriving late at her own press conferences, and even for not being “highly educated”, as she puts it. The former Penang Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Wanita chief is contesting the Penanti state […]
Why Pakatan needs Penanti
By Shanon ShahCorrected 9:18am, 23 May 2009 NOMINATION day for the Penanti state by-election takes place tomorrow (23 May), but this time around, the traditional blue and white banners of the Barisan Nasional (BN) will be missing from the scene. The coalition announced on 18 May that it would not contest the Penanti by-election. Prime Minister Datuk […]
