PAS rides on price-hike misery in Perlis
Malaysiakini.com
Mar 04, 2008
Nash Rahman

PAS is banking on two factors to make inroads into tiny Perlis and win the minimum eight seats it requires to form the next state government.
MCPX

It is cashing in on the hottest topic among voters - high prices of consumer goods and services - and using it as its main strategy in its campaign against Barisan Nasional.

Squabbling within the Umno Perlis leadership may also play into the opposition party’s hands.
                   
In the 2004 general election, PAS only manage to win in the Sanglang state seat. This time, it is contesting 12 state seats and two of the three parliamentary seats.

PAS' deputy spiritual leader Dr Haron Din will stand in the Arau parliamentary seat.

pas candidate ahmad tajuddin 030308 hospital bedPAS state committee member Ahmad Tajuddin Salleh is confident that the party will retain Sanglang.

He said its candidates stand a good chance in Simpang Empat, Guar Sanji and Pauh state seats (all under the Arau constituency); Santan, Beseri and Titi Tinggi (under Padang Besar) and Kuala Perlis, Kayang and Bintong (under Kangar).

"If the acceptance of the voters translates into votes, it will mean PAS will take over Perlis on Saturday [...] receptiveness to PAS is overwhelming,” he told Malaysiakini in an interview.

Ahmad Tajuddin, who will contest in Kuala Perlis, is currently in hospital, recovering from an accident - he fell while fixing the roof of his house recently.

He also alluded to bickering between factions in Umno Perlis, one led by Shahidan Kassim and the other by secretary-general Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, saying this could affect the six areas where Shahidan holds sway and four where Radzi is in control.

Although PAS does not plan to take advantage of this, Ahmad Tajuddin said it “would help us”.

Haron's chances

As about campaign issues in Kuala Perlis, Ahmad Tajuddin said thousands of villagers are facing unresolved land issues as they have been living in squatter areas over the last four decades.

perlis kedah campaign 030308 close upHe said PAS has pledged assistance to squatters in such areas as Pulau Ketam, Hujung Tanjung and Belakang Kilang if it comes to power.

"Another issue involves fishermen, but the price hike is more than enough to give us victory....it (also) affects the whole nation,” he said.

On Haron’s chance of wresting Arau from Shahidan’s brother Ismail Kassim, he said: “Based on the outcome of our trial run, we may win four state seats including Simpang Empat, Sanglang, Guar Sanji and Pauh.

"If this is realised, then the prospects are bright for Haron's victory.”

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