‘EARTHQUAKE’ IN PEKAN: ‘WE PREFER TO HEAR DR MAHATHIR SPEAK’ – IN NAJIB’S BASTION, LESS THAN 30 ORANG ASLI TURN UP FOR HIS KARAOKE CONTEST DESPITE CASH PRIZES GALORE

THE day Dr Mahathir Mohamad visited the Orang Asli settlement in Pekan, Pahang, was the day Barisan Nasional organised a karaoke competition with a lucky draw.

While the former prime minister made an appearance at Kampung Gumum today, the village security and development committee (JKKK) organised an event at Ulu Gumum.

Local sources said Chini assemblyman Abu Bakar Harun was behind the competition.

But there was not a sign of a BN logo in the poster and the karaoke was organised under JKKK, with villagers given RM50 per song.

They were also treated to a lucky draw with gifts like washing machines, fans, toasters, and fishing rods.

However, barely 30 people took part while at least 150 people showed up to see Dr Mahathir.

Barely 30 people turned up for the competition which paid villagers RM50 per song. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 28, 2018.

Earlier in the day, locals said 100 Orang Asli students from SK Tasik Chini were given RM100 each for their education.

Local villager Muhamad Anak Lelaki Kassim said the karaoke event was to portray Dr Mahathir as not having any support.

“They know he is here so they tried their best. All of a sudden there was a karaoke competition which offered a lucky draw,” Muhamad told The Malaysian Insight.

Another villager Suzadi Nubi, said the opposition’s influence was growing in Pekan and BN was trying to stop it.

“There has never even been anything like this. They are really desperate,” he said.

The locals said they were fed up of BN as there have not been much development in the past decade.

The locals said they were fed up of BN as there have not been much development in the past decade.

Some of the villagers listening to Dr Mahathi Mohamad. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, February 28, 2018.

“There have not been any change. There has been three prime ministers but nothing has been done. We are stagnant,” Muhamad said.

They also complained the roads were poorly built and there were no street lights in in the trunk roads connecting the villages.

Dr Mahathir in his brief speech told the Orang Asli Pakatan Harapan will look after the community.

“I promise we will address the  problems faced by Orang Asli. In my time, many people benefitted but nobody had to dig for bauxite,” he said.

Due to economic hardship, many turned to bauxite mining which has led to the rapid environmental decline of the famous Tasik Chini. – February 28, 2018.

– https://www.themalaysianinsight.com