Opposition going on bus ride to campaign

The vehicle will be used to introduce candidates in most towns in the Peninsula, says Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim.

SHAH ALAM: The opposition intends to take a “bus ride” to the coming general election.

Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim has launched a “campaign bus”, described as the first of its kind in the country, for use as a platform by opposition pact members and leaders to give political speeches during the general election campaign.

The vehicle, rented by Khalid for the next six months, will penetrate most of the towns in Peninsular Malaysia, especially remote areas, to assist the leaders in their political cause.

“The bus is purchased according to the rent-to-buy [sewa beli] concept and will be used for the Hari Raya celebration for almost a week before extending it for political campaigns, namely to introduce candidates and so on.

“This initiative is actually to show that Pakatan Rakyat is ready to face the [general] election which is expected to be called anytime soon,” he told reporters after launching the bus at the Selangor Government’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at the State Secretariat building here today.

The bus is capable of ferrying 19 people at any given time and is equipped with PA system and special foldable platform to assist political leaders to give speeches.

Meanwhile, about 30,000 people attended the state government’s open house, jointly organised by Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) and Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB).

Among those who attended the four-hour event which started at 11am, were PKR adviser Anwar Ibrahim and several state executive councillors.

Khalid said the Selangor government had increased its welfare activities, in conjunction with the Aidilfitri celebration this year.

- Bernama