Dam sabotage by UMNO cost us Tenang by-election: Hadi (with VIDEO)

PAS president Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang has made a startling revelation about last year's Tenang by-election in Johor, saying UMNO had sabotaged a dam there to cause flash floods in the constituency during polling day to turn results in its favour

In an exclusive interview with Harakahdaily's editor-in-chief Zulkifli Sulong, Hadi claimed that early preparation had been made in anticipation of floods on polling day on January 30, in the form of boats to carry voters from affected areas to the polling stations.

"That was very dirty cheating and undemocratic,” said the Marang member of parliament.

Tenang is a rural area in northern Johor, and comprises of three Felda settlements, 8 Malay and Chinese villages, 25 mixed residential areas, one government quarters, four estates and two Orang Asli villages. PAS's Normala Sudirman was defeated by BN's Mohd Azahar Ibrahim by a majority of 3,707 votes.

Flashfloods had then been blamed on low turnout of voters, at only 67 percent or 9,833 voters, out of 14,511 eligible voters. This was far from the Election Commission’s prediction of 80 percent.

Against this backdrop, Hadi said in the coming general election, PAS could win in Felda areas, adding that “change can happen and we can win”.

Hadi also said there was overwhelming response during his recent convoy tour to Johor, and said the future was bright for PAS in BN’s strongholds.

“Our ceramah was attended by thousands, mainly younger generation. This at least points to a good future for PAS," he said.

Besides Johor, the PAS president said the convoy, organised by the party's information bureau, also stopped by Terengganu and Pahang.

Expressing satisfaction with preparation for the polls, Hadi said voters between 21 and 40 years of age would be deciding the victors of the coming general election as they make up 30 percent of total voters.

“That is why BN has been indecisive in determining the date of election although the cash distribution programme has been on-going," he said, referring to the series of nationwide stops by senior BN leaders to distribute so-called cash aids for the poor.

But Hadi opined that such gestures would only work for some older citizens.

"For the younger generation, they have no confidence in the country’s economy as well as many other factors."

-Harakahdaily

Video: