Published: Monday October 5, 2009 MYT 3:17:00 PM
Barisan plans to sell its candidate, not run down rival
By MAZWIN NIK ANIS
PUTRAJAYA: Barisan Nasional’s campaign strategy for the Bagan Pinang by-election is to sell the good qualities of its “product” rather than run down its competitor just to score some points with voters.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Barisan had a good candidate in Tan Sri Isa Samad and the coalition intended to “sell” his good qualities, abilities and experience instead of criticising his contender just to get the people’s attention.
“Running down others has never been our way when competing in an election. We have good points to sell and we will use that to attract voters.
“But we do hope the Opposition will, for once, partake in a healthy competition by selling their product (candidate) instead of derailing ours,” said Ismail Sabri, who is also Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister.
It is a straight fight between Barisan’s Isa and PAS’ Zulkefly Omar for the Bagan Pinang state seat in Negri Sembilan.
Speaking to reporters at his ministry’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house Monday, Ismail Sabri expressed confidence that Barisan would “win big” in this by-election, adding that reaction from the ground - be it from Umno members or ordinary voters - were positive.
“Bagan Pinang is Isa’s homeground. He is from there and his late wife (Puan Sri Hazizah Tumin) was also a local girl. Everyone loves him there and we have a good feeling that we can win the seat with bigger majority,” he said.
Ismail Sabri said Bagan Pinang, which sits in the Teluk Kemang parliamentary area was a well-developed constituency, adding apart from small issues and problems which could be easily resolved, the area was relatively problem-free and the rakyat enjoyed modern facilities brought by Barisan over the years.
He said the Opposition should not politicise the fact that Isa was one with “political baggage”, saying that while he had been punished for breeching party ethics, he did not violate the country’s law so much so that he had to be tried in court, convicted and jailed.
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