Galas: EC fixes for Oct 26 nomination, Nov 4 for balloting

Malaysia Chronicle

The Election Commission has fixed as October 26 as nomination day for the Galas by-election and November 4 as polling day, setting the stage for what many anticipate will be a thrilling contest where underdogs PAS will try its very best to retain the jewel in Umno’s dwindling but jealously-protected Kelantan crown.

The state seat fell vacant following the death of PAS assemblyman Chek Hashim Suhaima last month. It is part of Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s Gua Musang parliamentary stronghold and the late Chek Hashim had been hailed as a hero by his colleagues for being the first PAS leader to ever penetrate this rare Umno fortress in the mostly PAS-dominated Kelantan.

Ku Li used as bait by Umno to annoy PAS

Already, bitter rivals PAS and Umno have begun firing salvos at each other. In particular, Ku Li as Tengku Razaleigh is popularly known has been used as bait to annoy each other.

Ku Li and Muhyiddin

Ku Li, a Kelantan prince and former Finance minister, is an Umno veteran but he is also known for his independent mind and has not hesitated to slam his party for reneging on a governmental contract to pay the PAS-led Kelantan state government royalties for oil extracted within its boundaries.

Ku Li has often been a thorn in the Umno ruling government but Prime Minister Najib Razak has reportedly signed a letter appointing him the Galas by-election director. Not only that, in answer to a suggestion from Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, several Umno leaders have rushed to express support for Ku Li being made the Galas by-election candidate.

PAS leaders have immediately chastised their Umno rivals for trying to insult and mock Ku Li’s standing as Galas is only a state seat, beyond the prince's national and even international standing.

Meanwhile, Ku Li has said he will only decide on whether to accept the Galas candidacy and election director appointment when he returns from overseas later this month. He directly refuted Muhyiddin’s statement that he had agreed to be the Galas election director.

"You have to ask him (Muhyiddin). I haven't said anything to anyone yet," Ku Li said on Twitter when asked if Muhyiddin was telling the truth.

Pundits, who know him, do not expect him to accept either of Umno's offer.He is due to return to Malaysia on October 9.

Not easy for PAS

The 48-year old Chek Hashim had died after a long battle against colon cancer. He had wrested the seat from Umno in 2008 by a narrow 646-vote majority, securing 4,399 votes against Umno's 3,753 votes.

Nizar - We will go all out

According to the last electoral roll, there are 10,330 voters in the constituency, with 65.4% Malays, 22.3% Chinese, 10.5% Orang Asli and 1.8% India

In a move that shows how seriously PAS is taking the Galas by-election, the party’s central working committee met on Sunday to discuss by-election strategy. However, PAS president Hadi Awang has deferred finalizing a candidates short-list although expectations remain high the final choice will be someone from the locality itself.

"We won't kid ourselves even though there will be political posturing here and there as is the norm in any by-election. But Galas was new to PAS and Chek Hashim was taken ill, so unfortunately, we did not really get to build as steady a rapport with the constituents as we would have liked. But with prayers, sheer hard work and the sincerity of our campaign workers, we are hopeful for another miracle to happen," PAS central committee member Nizar Jamaluddin told Malaysia Chronicle.