Saturday October 3, 2009

EC: Only 100 supporters each

PORT DICKSON: Candidates in the Bagan Pinang by-election will be allowed to bring along only 100 supporters each to the nomination centre when they file their candidacy papers today.

Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said all others would have to wait outside the perimeter fence of the Port Dickson Municipal Council (MPPD) hall during the nomination period from 10am to 11am.

“The numbers have to be reduced as the place is small and we want to ensure there are no untoward incidents,” he told reporters here after visiting the nomination centre yesterday.

He said the commission initially allowed only 70 supporters for each candidate but this was increased to 100 following appeals.

Abdul Aziz said all the supporters have been given special passes which they have to produce. They will also have to sit at designated places within the perimeter fence.

He said the commission also decided that Barisan Nasional supporters would gather outside the Port Dickson Land Office before beginning their march to the nomination centre.

PAS supporters would be allowed to gather at the Esso station nearby.

He also reminded the candidates and their supporters not to bring hailers or musical instruments as these were strictly prohibited.

As of yesterday, three candidates had confirmed contesting the seat, which fell vacant following the death of Barisan’s Azman Mohd Noor on Sept 4.

They are Barisan’s Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad, PAS state commissioner Zulkefly Omar and Shahruddin Abdul Hamid, who will contest as an independent.

Shahruddin was until yesterday a member of PKR.

The 52-year-old said he was left with no choice but to quit the party as he had been threatened with automatic expulsion if he went ahead with his plan.

“I have no other choice. I have received calls from Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PAS vice-president Salehuddin Ayob pressuring me not to contest.

“It is better that I quit before they sack me,” said Shahruddin, who was an Umno member for 25 years until he quit in 2004.

Shahruddin, who runs an events management company, said he was confident of securing 30% of the votes based on feedback he received from the grassroots.

“I have said I am only providing an alternative. The people should be given more than two options,” he said.

Two other candidates who have confirmed that they would contest the Bagan Pinang seat are Barisan Nasional’s Tan Sri Isa Samad and PAS state commissioner Zulkefly Mohd Omar.

Shahruddin, who had been a member of PKR Teluk Kemang, said being a local meant he had plenty of support from the Indian and Chinese communities.

“I went to the estates and the people there have pledged their support for me. I have also a strong following among youths, particularly Kelab Anak-Anak Melayu PD, and I am confident of an upset against the so-called bigger boys,” he said.

He said Zulkefly would not get the people’s support as he was an outsider.

“In fact, there are also those in Umno who are not supportive of Tan Sri Isa. I believe they too would vote for me as my agenda is to bring progress to Port Dickson,” he said.

Asked on comments by his critics that he would lose his deposit, Shahruddin said it was impossible for him to attract so few votes.

“This will only further motivate me. I’ll make them eat their words,” he added.

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