New low in scare tactics, vulgar campaigning at Merlimau, Kerdau

The campaigning in the Merlimau and Kerdau by-elections have shown a BN sinking to new lows. On Umno's side, not only did they recruit the notorious Ummi Hafilda to ask constituents to "piss on" Pakatan Rakyat de-facto head Anwar Ibrahim and expose his alleged misdeeds, their supporters also threw stones at his car hurling vulgar abuse at him and other opposition politicians in town.

It was no different with the MCA and its president Chua Soi Lek. Desperate to prove that the Chinese has returned to BN, MCA campaigners have threatened the Chinese that their vote is not confidential.

"This is a new low. I don't understand why they have to resort to such nasty tactics," DAP Melaka Bandar Hilir state assemblyman Tey Kok Kiew told Malaysia Chronicle.

"I would assure all voters that this is a deliberate lie and the best reason why they should not vote BN and MCA. If it is true, why didn't MCA fight against this violation of our fundamental civil rights? It is the same as they are now admitting they are gangsters out to rob the people of their votes by all any ways and means including threats."

By telling the Chinese that the secret ballot is a myth, BN may be hoping to secure the Chinese vote by implanting fear that the federal government would retaliate if they voted for Pakatan. For example, BN could withdraw allocations for development when the results show that the Chinese have voted for PAS.

It is also telling to note that in Sarawak, the BN deputy chief minister George Chan issued similar threats that once BN was returned to power in the state government even if with a reduced majority, it would not help those consituencies that voted for the opposition.

Fear of Buku Jingga

Anti-Chinese leaflets branding the community as traitors to the nation have also been widely distributed in both Kerdau and Merlimau. Leaflets showing the faces of Pakatan leaders superimposed on naked female bodies were also found everywhere.

During the Pakatan's nightly ceramah or political speeches, BN campaigners blasted out noisy karaoke music at close range to disrupt the guest-speakers. Rowdy youths on noisy, souped-up motorcycles tore past the Pakatan venues to scare away people from attending.

Pakatan leaders campaigning in both Merlimau and Kerdau have also received death threats via handphone text messages.

Police reports have been lodged, but no action has been taken by the authorities.

Throughout Malaysia's political history, such tactics from competing politicians are not unknown. But the ferocity of the BN's anti-Pakatan campaign in these two constituencies that pundits have already predicted they will win have raised eyebrows.

Pakatan leaders believe the BN was trying to prevent them from explaining their reform book called Buku Jingga or Orange Book. The book details 10 social and economic reforms the coalition will implement within 100 days if they won the federal government.

"Instead of spending time outlining the reforms in our Buku Jingga, we have to spend time on lengthy explanations in regards to the secret ballot," DAP MP for Serdang Teo Nie Ching told Malaysia Chronicle.

"Certainly, these are dirty tactics to slow us down and to hamper our efforts in promoting the Buku Jingga." - Malaysia Chronicle