MORE PICS – BATU TALAM By-Election Jan 28 2007; BN wins - An Obscene Majority 5857 (NOT fully awakened and enlightened) for Lower Voter Turnout

UPDATE: Jan30 2007; 03:42am

A dirty trick surfaced in the recent by election – the falsification of a leaflet purportedly published by DAP Ronnie Liu Titled “7 Sebab kenapa perlu BOIKOT Batu Talam” And a police report is filed over this incident.
And do you think the police can find out the culprit?

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Batu Talam: No celebration for MCA despite the landslide victory

January 28th, 2007 by ronnieliutiankhiew

Inspector Mohan has taken my statement at the Cheroh police station on Sunday morning over my police report made on Saturday in Petaling Jaya following the distribution of this leaflet in my name.(see BELOW)

BN’s Aziz Kiram obtained 6,276 votes against 419 votes garnered by the Independent political novice Ng Chee Pang, with a majority 5,857 votes. Please note that the entire polling and counting of votes was carried out by the SPR without a single polling or counting agent from the Independent candidate. But there’s really nothing for MCA to shout about. Only some 500 plus (about half of the 1,100 plus) registered Chinese voters from Cheroh turned out to cast their votes on Sunday. And about half of them (249) votes went to Chee Pang and the other half went to BN.

That probably explained why Chan Kong Choy shouted at Chee Pang and his supporters right after the last voter entered the polling centre at the SJKC Cheroh. Chan lost his cool, calling Chee Pang and his supporters ” the running dogs for PAS”. Chee Pang’s supporters retaliated by calling Chan ” Menteri Bodoh! Pakai Sarong Umno!). MCA must find out why the entire MCA (with the help of Najib and other big guns like Samy Vellu and Lim Keng Yaik and retired big shot like Lim Ah Lek) could only garnered half the local Chinese votes against Chee Pang who did not even put up a single candidate poster throughout the campaign. Also not to forget that the BN side has broken practically every single rule and regulation set out by the SPR, such as using the government vehicles and police trucks, school facilities and penghulu’s office. (Read Malaysiakini reports on 27 Jan) On the other hand, Chee Pang may have lost his RM5,000 deposit but his entry has forced BN to allocate RM270, 000 to the local Chinese primary school, to pay RM1,000 to all 80 year-old senior citizens(a pledge made in 2004 general elections), water supply to villagers, to alienate 100 hectares of agricultural land to Malay farmers, provide homes for several hard-core poor Malays and some money to the local Guan Ying temple… not to mention non-stop supply of meals for villagers during the entire campaign.

Among many other pledges, MCA also have to promise (once again) to relocate the rubbish dump site after the by-election
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UPDATE: Jan 29 2007; 1:50 am

The contest was an unbalanced one, skewed and loaded to one side and did not represent the BN symbol

Batu Talam state assembly (Pahang) by-election result:
Barisan Nasional – Abdul Aziz Kiram – 6,276 votes [5,414]
Independent – Ng Chee Pang – 419 votes (lost deposit)
[PAS- 2,653]
Majority – 5,857 votes [2,761]
Spoilt votes – 385 votes
Voter turn-out – 67.32% [73.4%]
[Square Bracketed figures are from 2004 GE]

ABOVE: the Winner and BELOW :The Smiling Loser

Despite a drop in voter turnout, the BN has more than double its 2004 GE majority and this is achieved at a tremendous high cost if one can tally up this win at ALL cost to the BN. They have used the full might of the election machinery breaking all the guidelines with the Election Commission hapless to act. It was a win no doubt and it demonstrated how easily people can be influenced by “sweet talk promises and lavished spending”.

All this talk and exposure of corruption and grabbing in the current Malaysia situation when dealing with seemingly insurmountable problems of racial, political, financial and social in nature while legitimate and true as these may be do not matter much to people if they can get a bit of the share of it and politicians are fully aware of this to keep them in power. The price they pay for the support is indeed small compared to the gains they get with political power.

For change to be effective, we need “shared” or “mass” dreams. In these, we dream individually and collectively of ways in which change could occur. But alas, we do not share the same dreams. This 5857 majority each has his or her own dream are contented in their present needs and dreams and so are the majority elected representatives (by hook or by crook) and having the power with all the attending benefits, comforts and privileges would not share your dream for a change. And so all our problems recurred and will remain unsolved until and UNLESS the majority is fully awakened and enlightened to see through this current state of affairs and Vision 2020 will only be a piped dream.

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January 28, 2007 22:59 PM

By-Election Win Proof Of People's Support For PM - Najib

RAUB, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tonight described the huge victory of the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the Batu Talam by-election as proof of the people's confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. He said the 5,857-vote majority garnered by BN's Abdul Aziz Mat Kiram was way above the targeted 3,000-vote majority, and was more than double the number of majority votes the BN received in the constituency in the general election of 2004.

ABOVE: The smiling loser and BELOW: SAMY the Supporter

"Although we had to face challenges recently, it is evident that these had not undermined the people's support for the BN government. Instead, the support for the government has grown stronger following the victory in Batu Talam," he said when Approached by reporters after the result of the by-election was announced at the Raub Silver Jubilee Hall, here. Najib also described the victory as a reflection of the people's support for the leadership of Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob who, he said, has developed the state into a BN stronghold.

ABOVE: The outgoing soon to be going, going gone Minister (Gerakan leader)

He said the intention of the opposition parties to boycott the by-election did not go down well with the people and that the percentage voter turnout had instead risen to 67.32 per cent. "This time around, we were faced with a unique situation whereby the opposition parties had declared their boycott of the by-election and tried to persuade the voters not to go to the polls. "With a percentage voter turnout of 67.32 per cent, we can clearly state that their intention to boycott the by-election was not accepted by the voters of Batu Talam," he said.

Najib said the victory would provide the BN with the responsibility of continuing its service to champion???????????? the people's cause without neglecting the pledges made. "God Willing, we will fulfill our pledges. I will discuss with (Menteri Besar) Adnan the pledges that were made and we will fulfill them," he said. Najib said the huge victory was also made possible with the support of the BN machinery from every state and the commitment from the coalition's component parties. "Therefore, it would be the untruth if there are assumptions of other communities being uneasy with the BN government," he said. Najib also expressed his thanks to the police who had ensured order to enable the by-election to be conducted smoothly. He also said that the Elections Commission (EC) had conducted the by-election efficiently and convincingly.

Menteri Besar Adnan said the BN victory has proven that Batu Talam has no place for the opposition parties. "In future, it is not necessary for independent candidates to contest, to agitate and interfere in the election process when they know they cannot win?????????????," he said. MCA Deputy President Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said almost 80 per cent of the Chinese voters in the constituency had voted for the BN candidate, and shown that the independent candidate supported by the DAP was rejected by the Chinese community. "This victory is also an indication of support for the BN leadership helmed by the prime minister," he said. Umno Information Chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib described the BN's victory as a good sign and indication of the people's confidence in the government. "The opposition parties dismissed themselves, and the people have rejected the opposition parties. The people have also expressed their confidence in the BN," he said. Umno Youth Chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the BN victory with a bigger majority that caused the opposing candidate to lose his deposit reflected the high-level of the spirit of struggle of Umno Youth and BN Youth.

ABOVE: Najib publicity stunt in pushing the wheel-chair bound to get another vote; BELOW: Voting is a right enshrined in the constitution for all, but does your vote carries the same weight?

Wanita Umno Vice-Head Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said she was happy that many women and senior citizens had come out to vote in the by-election and this showed that the government led by the BN was well accepted by people of all levels of society. The victorious candidate and new assemblyman for Batu Talam Abd Aziz Mat Kiram said the first thing he would do is streamline the machinery from the administrative level to the party level. "It is not looking for weaknesses but streamlining the machinery. Only after we have identified the problems faced by the people can be move forward," he said. Commenting on the strength of his opponent, Abd Aziz said: "Whatever the strength of the opponent, we have to fight when it comes to a contest just like on the soccer pitch where we have to fight even when facing a junior team." Abd Aziz garnered 6,276 votes to beat independent candidate Ng Chee Pang who polled only 419 votes and lost his deposit. The by-election was necessitated by the death of BN assemblyman Datuk Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan on Dec 27 last year.

= = == = UPDATE: Jan 28 2007; 21:40pm

January 28, 2007 21:34 PM

BN Retains Batu Talam Seat With Bigger Majority

RAUB, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional (BN) retained the Batu Talam state seat in a by-election today with a bigger majority than that it had garnered in the general election in 2004. Returning Officer Abdul Kadir Abu Bakar announced at 8.17 pm that BN's Abdul Aziz Kiram, 47, secured 6,276 votes to beat independent candidate Ng Chee Pang, 22, by a majority of 5,857 votes.

The by-election was held following the death of BN assemblyman Datuk Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan who had beaten a PAS candidate by a majority of 2,761 votes in the general election in 2004. A total of 7,080 voters or 67.32 per cent of the 10,525 electorate went to the polls today. Abdul Kadir also announced that there were 385 spoilt votes in the by-election.

= = = ==UPDATE: Jan 28 2007; 17:45pm

40 Pct Voter Turnout At Noon In Batu Talam Polls

January 28, 2007 13:56 PM
RAUB, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- About 40 per cent or 3,789 of the 10,525 voters have cast their ballots as at noon in today's Batu Talam state by-election. Election Commission secretary Datuk Kamaruzaman Mohd Noor said voting is expected to pick up steam in the afternoon and evening. Polling ends at 5pm. He said the EC had provided wheelchairs at the 12 polling stations to enable senior citizens, the sick and the disabled to exercise their electoral right. No untoward incidents were reported so far, he told Bernama.

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January 28, 2007 10:54 AM
Smooth Polling In Batu Talam Despite Drizzle, Cloudy Weather

Polling in the Batu Talam by-election is proceeding smoothly despite the drizzle and cloudy weather since early Sunday. Senior citizens and women are the early voters to cast their ballots. They were seen queuing up at polling stations waiting for their turn to vote. Voting is expected to pick up momentum in the afternoon after housewives have finished their house chores. Twelve polling stations opened at 8am.
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January 28, 2007 13:11 PM
Opposition Ploy To Boycott By-Election Failed, Says Najib

RAUB, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- The Opposition's ploy to incite voters to boycott today's Batu Talam state by-election has failed, judging from the encouraging voter turnout at several polling stations, especially in Felda areas, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today. "If there are people who abstained from voting, it's only their traditional supporters. Those (voters) who understand the principles of democracy, will not boycott. "The plan to boycott is a failure... so far everything is going on smoothly," the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters when visiting the polling station at the Al-Falah Religious School. Najib, who visited several polling stations, was satisfied with the voter turnout since the start of polling at 8am. The by-election is a straight fight between BN's Abdul Aziz Mat Kiram, 47, and an independent, Ng Chee Pang, 22.

[…].
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Malaysians vote in key by-election; ChannelnewsAsia
Posted: 28 January 2007 1236 hrs
KUALA LUMPUR - Voters in central Malaysia cast ballots on Sunday in a by-election that could embarrass the ruling coalition of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, despite what looks to be a near-certain win. The Barisan Nasional coalition has urged voters in central Pahang state to turn out for the poll despite a rare boycott by two opposition parties, in a bid to boost turnout and avoid a lacklustre showing for Abdullah's camp.

"We will ensure all go out to vote. If they haven't, we will go to their houses," Deputy Premier Najib Razak said late Saturday. "We will mobilise the machinery all-out until the last moment -- that's the Barisan Nasional instruction," he was quoted as saying by the Bernama state news agency. Pahang has long been a BN stronghold, and a win is more or less assured for the coalition, which is targeting a majority of at least 3,000 votes in the rural seat of Batu Talam, with just 10,525 registered voters. The seat in Pahang's state assembly fell vacant on December 27 after the ruling coalition's Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan died from cancer.

Contesting the by-election are the BN's Abdul Aziz Mat Kiram, 47, and 22-year-old independent candidate Ng Chee Pang. The vote was initially seen as an early indication of support for Abdullah's government ahead of a general election which must be called by early 2009. However, in the absence of an opposition candidate, political commentators are on the lookout for a reduced majority and poor turnout, which would spell trouble for the government.

Two leading opposition parties have boycotted the by-election, citing bias and possible vote fraud, and called for electoral reforms. The move has confounded and infuriated coalition members, who have accused opposition leaders of cowardice. Abdullah's son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin said in a commentary published on Sunday in the New Straits Times that the lack of an opposition candidate would make the vote "frustrating and difficult" for the ruling coalition. "It would be frustrating because of the absence of a real enemy," he

wrote. - AFP/ir
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ABOVE: Bernama Poll Results on Batu Talam By-Election

ABOVE: The Prime Minister last minute appeal for voters to turn out in full force to vote for the BN Candidate (BELOW Left) otherwise a "reduced majority"

January 27, 2007 18:48 PM

10,525 People Can Vote In Batu Talam

RAUB, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- A total of 10,525 voters will be entitled to cast their votes in the Batu Talam by-election Sunday to choose their state assemblyman, based on the gazetted electoral roll of last Nov 30 that was reconfirmed on Jan 4.

Of the total, 8,353 voters are Malays (79.36 per cent); 1,137 Chinese (10.8 per cent); 499 Indians (4.74 per cent); and 536 Orang Asli (5.09 per cent). The by-election will see a straight fight between the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate, Abd Aziz Mat Kiram, and an independent, Ng Chee Pang. The Returning Officer, Abdul Kadir Awang Bakar, (ABOVE) said that a total of 23 voting streams at 12 polling stations would be open from 8am to 5pm Sunday.

The polling stations are located at Ulu Atok, Kuala Atok, Sega, Chenua, Batu Malim, Tersang 1, Tersang 2, Tersang 3, Hulu Sungai, Batu Talam, Kundang Patah and Cheroh. "We expect to announce the result by 10pm Sunday at the latest," he told Bernama. After the counting process at the polling stations is completed, the ballots will be sent to the tallying centre at the Raub Silver Jubilee Hall. Abdul Kadir said that 127 election workers would ensure a smooth polling process in the by-election, which has attracted the attention of many political observers following the Opposition's decision to boycott it. PAS and Parti Keadilan Rakyat took the move as a sign of protest against the Election Commission, alleging that it was not transparent, while the DAP had no interested to contest. Despite the boycott decision, Opposition members are still present in Batu Talam, campaigning and distributing phamplets as well as holding talks in various parts of the constituency. For the BN, its main challenge in the by-election is to secure a bigger majority than the 2,671 majority votes it won in the last general election in 2004. The number of voters who will turn out tomorrow has also become an interesting element in this by-election following allegations that the Opposition had been instigating them not to exercise their democratic right. On the other hand, the Independent candidate is rallying for support to avoid losing his deposit.

Bookies are also said to be participating, offering to take bets on the outcome of the polls under three scenarios -- the independent candidate loses his deposit; the independent candidate secures less than 500 votes; and the BN candidate secures minimum 3,000 majority votes. Another question being raised is whether history will be repeating itself in terms of low voter-turnout, as in 2004, 26.6 per cent or 2,799 voters in the constituency did not go to the polls. Abdul Kadir advised voters to go the polls early as the weather conditions are still erratic there. Nevertheless, Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin wanted voters at Batu Talam to go out in droves tomorrow to fulfill their responsibilities and prove that the democratic process in Malaysia is still healthy. "Though this is a small by-election, its implication is huge as it will indicate the people's sentiments towards the country's democratic system," he said.

Zainuddin said that he was optimistic that the voters in Batu Talam will not be influenced by the Opposition's attempt to discourage them from voting.He said that based on studies done by agencies under the ministry, the percentage of voters going to the polls tomorrow will be more than 65 per cent.

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Chee Peng’s boyish smile will win hearts

JTB via Malaysiakini; Jan 22, 07 4:33pm

I’m sure the boyish smile of the Batu Talam by-election independent candidate Ng Chee Peng (ABOVE) will win many hearts in the Batu Talam election. What election manifesto do you need for Batu Talam? For all the empty promises of the Barisan Nasional, they will just use their well-oiled election juggernaut for an unfair advantage. As for Chee Peng, I can feel it in him that his election manifesto is for a clean and honest government. He may not be able to win Batu Talam, but I am sure that the people of Batu Talam will not allow him to lose his deposit. To Ng Chee Peng, we salute you and stand firmly behind you

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Thursday January 25, 2007;
Ng looking to win by default;By SIMON KHOO;BY-ELECTION

BATU TALAM

RAUB: Independent candidate Ng Chee Pang is still hoping to win the Batu Talam by-election – but not through the ballot box.

He lodged a police report on Sunday against Barisan Nasional candidate Abdul Aziz Kiram, alleging misuse of government resources by his opponent.

It is through this report that Ng is hoping that the Election Commission will disqualify Abdul Aziz and thus leaving him to win the seat uncontested. He his father Kwi Liang submitted a letter and a compact disc to the EC office here on Tuesday, detailing the alleged offences which they claimed contravened the code of ethics in campaigning. Speaking via his spokesman-cum-campaign manager father, Ng said that if Abdul Aziz was not disqualified, then he would hope to get sympathy votes so that he would not lose his deposit. Ng declined to give details of his campaigning except to say that he was on the ground daily with his younger brother Chee Fu, 19, who is also his campaign photographer.

ABOVE & BELOW: The "Outsider" Independant Candidate giving out his "bus tickets" to all and sundry he met to ensure he gets back the deposit of RM5,000

Kwi Liang said the response from the people so far was encouraging and they had even campaigned in several Malay villages. “I am confident we will receive enough votes to retain the deposit,” said the former DAP stalwart, who had contested in six general elections and lost in all.

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25/01: Will BN win enough in Batu Talam to rejoice on Sunday?

B. Suresh Ram; The Sun

It's not a question of whom the 10,252-registered electorate will pick in the Batu Talam by-election. It is a foregone conclusion that Barisan Nasional (BN) will retain the seat. As the BN machinery is in full swing, even independent candidate Ng Chee Pang acknowledged that it is an impossible task to unseat BN in the straight fight. The best he is hoping for is to avoid losing his RM5,000 deposit in the contest by garnering at least one-eighth of the total votes cast. For the BN, the target is not merely to retain the seat but to win by at least 3,000 votes. It is likely the ruling coalition, which picked local lad Abd Aziz Mat Kiram as its candidate, might be able to achieve this target. In the 2004 General Election, the then state assemblyman, the late Datuk Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan, won by a 2,761-vote majority. Even in the height of the disenchantment against the BN in 1999 over the Anwar issue, Batu Talam voters remained loyal to the ruling coalition. Tengku Paris who stood for the first time then did creditably, winning comfortably by a 931-vote majority. The BN has always done well in the seat in which the only worthwhile opposition is PAS. But PAS has boycotted the by-election to send a message that the election process in the country needs to be revamped. Despite this, the opposition party machinery is in some manner campaigning. Its campaign is undertaken in the hope that its supporters in the state constituency and even the fence sitters would not go out to vote in the by-election.

ABOVE & BELOW: The independant low cost candidate (LCC) seized upon this opportunity to contest as contesting has been in his blood all along watching his father doing it so many times. Winning may not be important to him, but the reality to give his high cost opponent and BN a run for their money is a wonderful experience he would not miss.

They are also now telling their supporters to vote the independent candidate if they have to exercise their constitutional right. If at all anything, this is what worries the BN as it would not be able to improve its majority and achieve the target of a 3,000-vote majority victory set by BN chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. However, the fact that a 22-year-old novice candidate who hails from the Batu Talam area and with no concrete and specific agenda in all likelyhood is going to benefit the ruling coalition. "He is like Teh-Si Kosong. There is nothing that he can offer," said former Cheroh MCA branch chairman Pang Loo Chock, 63. The veteran MCA member is confident that at least 50% Chinese voters who are concentrated in the Cheroh area will vote for BN. The Chinese community makes up 1,193 or 11.33% of the voters in the Batu Talam area. The Malay community makes up 78.65% or 8,278 voters. The Indian community makes up 5.59% or 588 voters, while others, comprising Orang Asli, make up the remainder of 466 voters or 4.43%. These are the figures that nobody is likely to bat an eye-lid. However, the figures that political pundits and the BN are likely to look at on Sunday night when the by-election result is announced would be voter turnout, spoilt votes and ballots garnered by a man who celebrated his 22nd birthday last Monday. This would determine whether PAS has managed to influence the voters in the constituency to boycott the election or BN's message of urging the people to exercise their constitutional right to cast their ballot. When BN is officially declared the winner on Sunday (Jan 28), as expected, and if those figures which are looked at by political pundits add up more than the BN, there will not be any celebration or rejoicing by the winner.

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January 27, 2007 21:13 PM

Understand Purpose Of By-election, Najib Tells Batu Talam Residents

ABOVE: The deputy primer jesting about "Tonight, protect your I/C more than protecting your wife" as if one can use someone else IC to vote.

RAUB, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has called on Batu Talam residents who will go to the polls Sunday to understand the purpose of the by-election. "It's important for the voters to know the purpose of holding the by-election. The purpose is to elect a representative for the interest of people in the Batu Talam constituency; that's the main thing," he said Saturday. "In this regard, we have recommended Abd Aziz Mat Kiram as candidate of the state and federal Barisan Nasional.

"When the representative is from Barisan Nasional (BN), the state and federal government cooperation will be smoother and the people will get greater benefits," said Najib who is Umno deputy president. In the by-election, the BN candidate is facing independent Ng Chee Pang. It is being held following the death of assemblyman Tengku Datuk Paris Tengku Razlan on Dec 27 last year. On the BN target of winning with a big majority, Najib said a big majority would only become a reality if the percentage of voters turning up was high and it was hoped that 80 per cent of voters would cast their votes. "So, Barisan Nasional will win big. If less than that, we will also win, Insya-Allah, but the majority is reduced," he said. In the last general election, the BN won with a majority of 2,761 votes. On efforts to ensure voters would turn up to vote, Najib said: "We will ensure all go out to vote.

ABOVE & BELOW: Najib doing his last minute effort to garner support for the BN candidate

If they haven't, we will go to their houses. We will mobilise the machinery all-out until the last moment, that's the Barisan Nasional instruction," he said. Earlier, he attended the presentation of offer letters for the sale of houses in the Jalan Tersang people's housing project. Present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting. When speaking at the function, Najib urged Batu Talam residents not to heed the call by the opposition not to turn up to vote. "If someone instigate, don't listen. Don't surrender your I/C (identity card). "Tonight, protect your I/C more than protecting your wife," he said in jest.

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Batu Talam by-election: BN worry about voter turnout; 27 Jan 2007;M. Hamzah Jamaludin

RAUB: The campaigning for the Batu Talam by-election is reaching its final stage, with Barisan Nasional coalition members intensifying their efforts to woo voters. Although the BN is expected to win easily, the worry for the ruling coalition is the voter turnout. Voters’ complacency could cost BN its expected bigger majority, while the sole independent challenger is hoping to keep his deposit.

Both BN candidate Abdul Aziz Mat Kiram, 47, and rival Ng Chee Pang, 22, were busy meeting the people and trying their best to get their support. At the same time, dozens of police reports were lodged, with the latest one made by Umno Youth against the opposition yesterday. In his report, Umno Youth treasurer Datuk Ab Hamid Mohd Nazahar claimed that the opposition had instigated the people not to turn up to vote tomorrow. Hamid has named Keadilan vice-president Sivarasa Rasiah as the person who made such a statement in his speech at the Pas branch in Kampung Ria near here on Jan 23. "It’s wrong to incite voters not to vote," he said. Apart from the reports, police had also recorded 24 reports from those who received fake RM50 notes, with a letter from "Alumni Umno", a non-existent organisation. On Chee Pang’s campaign, Kwi Ling, who is the campaign manager, said they had covered most of the areas in the constituency. He said that today’s final "persuasion" would be concentrated in Cheroh, which has a high number of Chinese voters. "We received no support from the opposition. But some people gave me pamphlets against the toll increase." BN’s Aziz went to meet as many people as he could to encourage them to vote for him tomorrow. Among the BN leaders who were in Batu Talam yesterday were Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, Wanita Umno deputy head Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Puteri Umno chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad and Umno Youth deputy head Khairy Jamaluddin. The BN has set a goal of getting at least a 3,000-vote majority tomorrow. In 2004, the late Datuk Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan obtained a 2,761-vote majority at the polls. Lower voter turnout could dash such a hope. In Davos, Switzerland, Bernama reports that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi urged Batu Talam voters to come out in full force and vote tomorrow. He said the by-election was called because the government did not want the people there to be without a representative after their previous state assemblyman died. "As soon as the by-election for the seat is over on Sunday, they will have a state assemblyman to champion their interests," he told Malaysian journalists here. Abdullah also hoped that the voters would support BN again, as they did in 2004.= = = = = =January 27, 2007 13:56 PM

Prove Democracy Still Alive, Zam Tells Batu Talam Voters

ABOVE: Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin jokingly said: "the Opposition is no longer relevant in Malaysia's democratic system?????????????,

RAUB, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- Batu Talam voters have been urged to come out in full force to exercise their electoral right in Sunday's by-election to prove democracy is still alive in this country. In making the call, Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin said though this was only a by-election, its outcome was significant as it would mirror the people's trust and confidence in the country's democratic process. "They must come out in droves to cast their ballots. They should not listen to instigators. When the voters come out to vote tomorrow, they should not pay heed to Opposition claims that this by-election is undemocratic," he told reporters. Zainuddin said he was optimistic Batu Talam voters would not be swayed by the Opposition's ploys to influence the electorate not to come out to vote. The by-election is a straight fight between Barisan Nasional's (BN) Abdul Aziz Mat Kiram, 47, and an independent, Ng Chee Pang, 22. Based on a study by agencies under the Information Ministry, he said, the voter turnout would be more than 65 per cent in tomorrow's polling. "I hope the turnout will be higher than that...I believe the voters will show a higher commitment and determination to come out to vote to register their protest against the move by certain groups to boycott the polls," he said. "The Opposition is not contesting to boycott the by-election, hoping that the people will also boycott the polls. "That's their biggest expectation, (but) the voters must come out to vote to prove the Opposition is no longer relevant in Malaysia's democratic system?????????????," he said. Elaborating on the Opposition's boycott move, Zainuddin said: "There is no more of such groups in Terengganu, there are still some in Kelantan, their defeat here (in Batu Talam) with a good voter turnout means it's only a matter of time they're no more in Kelantan, too.

= = = = =January 27, 2007 01:39 AM

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was having sleepless nights in Davos thinking about the Batu Talam by-election and its reflection on his performsnce so far.

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PM Urges Batu Talam Voters To Turn Out In Full Force On Sunday
From Yong Soo Heong

DAVOS, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Friday urged voters in the Batu Talam state constituency to come out in full force and vote on Sunday to choose their representative in the Pahang State assembly. He said that the by-election was called because the government did not want the people there to be without a representative after their previous state assemblyman died. "As soon as the by-election for the seat is over on Sunday, they will have a state assemblyman to champion their interests," he told Malaysian journalists covering his participation in the World Economic Forum here. Abdullah also hoped that the voters there would support the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate again just as they did in the 2004 general election.
"Of course I wish for the BN candidate to retain the Batu Talam seat," he added.