Pahang's first phase of campaigning takes on relaxed note
KUANTAN, May 3 (Bernama) -- The first phase of campaigning in Pahang for the 14th General Election (GE14) seems to have taken off on a relaxed note but comprised various programmes, without any incidents taking place.
As soon as the nomination process is completed, each contesting party goes into first gear, campaigning with various activities including launching a touch point programme in their respective areas.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak himself, who is seeking re-election in his Pekan parliamentary seat for the 10th term, had a packed schedule in his constituency, meeting educators, farmers, and members of the Malaysian Armed Forces.
Today, besides Lipis, Najib also spent a day meeting with voters in Raub and his presence was seen to ease a little of the 'tension' between UMNO and MCA following the selection of MCA vice-president Datin Padukan Chew Mei Fun as the candidate for the parliamentary seat.
The effort proved successful when it was understood through a closed-door meeting this afternoon that the Raub UMNO division had pledged to work to ensure Chew's victory thus erasing the dispute over the previous candidate.
On how the campaign was being conducted, the Barisan Nasional (BN), the Pakatan Harapan coalition or PAS were seen taking a simple approach to reach out to voters, particularly young voters, without any large-scale talks.
Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob chose to play 'fancy dress' football with the young people in the Pelangai state constituency which has been a stronghold since 1986.
This approach also made young people to greet the menteri besar, without feeling shy, and get to know Adnan, who is better known as 'Tok Nan' among local residents.
For Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, he was very comfortable with the 'Moh Ngeteh' approach synonymous with himself, to invite voters in the Bera parliamentary constituency to partake in light refreshments arranged by him.
At the same time, opposition leaders such as Pakatan Harapan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, PKR President Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and activist Hishamuddin Rais were also seen ?swooping' down on Pahang since yesterday.
They were concentrating in the Kuantan and Indera Mahkota parliamentary seats, which were previously won by PKR candidate Fuziah Salleh and state PKR chairman Datuk Fauzi Abdul Rahman as well as the Paya Besar parliamentary seat.
As for PAS, the party seems to prefer door to door campaigning since the first day of the campaign without the involvement of central PAS leaders.
Meanwhile, Senior Lecturer of Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Raub Campus, Pahang, Che Hamdan Mohd Razali said on the whole campaigning in Pahang had not been fully implemented by the contesting parties.
"Looking at the party flags and posters being put up, we see BN and PAS more dominant in several parliamentary constituencies including Paya Besar, Kuala Krau, Temerloh and Raub."
"While PKR is seen focusing more in their strongholds, namely the Indera Mahkota and Kuantan parliamentary constituencies. The campaign is expected to get more lively after entering the second phase beginning tomorrow when there will be more posters put up displaying candidates' faces," he said.
-- BERNAMA
