Ijok... The only weekend and a hot Sunday
UPDATED VERSION. My assessment could be wrong but my visits to Ijok gave me the impression that there's still a lot of hard work Khalid Ibrahim has to do in order to narrow his imminent loss in Ijok by-election, let alone to win.
In the 2004 general election, BN-MIC beat KaADILan by a 1,649-vote majority. Notably, too, BN's majority records in Ijok had been deteriorating from 6,797 in 1995 to 3,166 in 1999.
Besides, the real-politik of the king-making polling districts of Pekan Ijok and Pekan Bestari Selatan, and Bukit Badung; Jaya Setia and Simpang Ijok, where Chinese and Malay votes count respectively, remained largely unchanged on the third after Nomination Day.
However, despite being an unknown featherweight vis-a-vis his relevance to local politics, the BN candidate commands the power of the incumbent he inherited from MIC, packed with the Red Bull of election goodies that keep pumping into the constituency. It's very hard for K Parthiban not to win.
Looking at the campaign period in this by-election, there is only one weekend to make house-to-house calls when voters are off-work. This makes today, the only Sunday before polling, a precious bell-water to preview the outcome of the race.
Besides facing the goliath of party machinery that's Barisan Nasional, the obstacles for the Opposition are said to be the Chinese-majority voting districts of Pekan Berjuntai Bestari Selatan and Pekan Ijok; and MIC's traditional stronghold in Tuan Mee and Pekan Berjuntai Bestari Utara.
Until yesterday, these are the major polling districts that appeared to potentially dash KeADILan's chances in winning. It hasn't been much change in terms of voter inclination since the 2004 general elections.
SOURCE: Malaysiakini, April 19, 2007
SOURCE: Malaysiakini, April 21, 2007
The other MIC stronghold at Sungai Darah, which saw its first rows of street-lamps two days ago, may have been penetrated to a certain degree. Discontentment among the Indian youths against the ruling party is visibly irreversible.
Anwar Ibrahim speaking at Sungai Darah, April 21, 2007
Nevertheless, KeADILan appears to have a headstart in Jaya Setia and Kampung Ijok polling districts. The party had won handsomely in these two districts in 2004.
Bukit Badong, another Malay-majority polling district, appears to be a PAS territory. PAS vice president Husam Musa made a brief visit and spoke to the community there last night, along side Anwar Ibrahim. PAS treasurer Dr Hatta ramli virtually set camp at the PAS markas since nomination day.
PAS also has a visible beachfront in Simpang Ijok polling district, which is a short distance away from the operations HQ of Pemuda BN, by name, that is dominantly Umno in truth.
SOURCE: Malaysiakini, April 19, 2007
Screenshots was told that Anwar Ibrahim will make two important speeches in Ijok tonight. He is scheduled to meet the Indian community in Tuan Mee to explain KeADILan's stand on the constitutional rights of Malaysians of the Hindu faith vis-a-via recent rulings in the civil court.
Anwar, alongside Khalid Ibrahim and some DAP leaders, is also slated to speak to the Chinese community over dinner in Pekan Ijok. Dr Lim Tech Ghee and Chinese educationist Loot Ting Yee are also among the guest speakers' list.
It is also understood that BN leaders from the various component parties are trooping into Ijok in full force for the campaign.
Whoever makes it to the finishing line, the ultimate winners will be none other the Ijok community, no matter how long good times will last. Or how long the quality of the hastily-resurfaced roads can withstand the traffic.
Comments
A good piece of unbiased investigating report. I noticed that the major English prints are also doing more investigating reports instead of the previous 'we are the champions...mambo jambo.' P.S. Glad you did not print the 'throwing bottle incidence'. Hope to see it after the by-election when the atmosphere is less electrifying.
Posted by: vital9![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 22, 2007 04:42 PM
Developing country or not, NO EXCUSES for CORRUPTION! Just one example, take a look at the LRT or Monorail...we are about 20 years behind Taiwan, Hong Kong or Singapore... if the Govt. is Not Corrupted, Malaysia would have long become an Asian Tiger Economy! If the Govt. is sincere provide more loans for the hawkers and the small businessmen to boost the SME Industry which will fuel the economy more! These are the entrepreneurs and engine of growth for the economy of every country! Do you need a rocket scientist to tell you that? Common!
Website - http://www.voy.com/207120/
Posted by: Malaysia Baru![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 22, 2007 08:21 PM
The other MIC stronghold at Sungai Darah, which saw its first rows of street-lamps two days ago, may have been penetrated to a certain degree. Discontentment among the Indian youths against the ruling party is visibly irreversible.
MIC stronghold (how many terms??) in the only developed state and no street-light???
Posted by: cskok8![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 22, 2007 10:05 PM