Making an earnest bid: Ahmad Zahid (centre) waving during the event at SK Sultan Sulaiman 1 in Kuala Terengganu. — Bernama
KUALA TERENGGANU: In a bid to create a major upset in the upcoming state polls, Barisan Nasional is set to unleash a barrage of allegations against Perikatan Nasional.
Among the accusations are claims of flood aid being distributed exclusively to PAS supporters and taking credit for the efforts of others.
These allegations are aimed at tarnishing the reputation of Perikatan and swaying public opinion in favour of Barisan.
These points were evident when Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the coalition’s state chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Said launched the election machinery here yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid, who is Deputy Prime Minister, claimed that there were Terengganu folk who did not receive funds to help them recover from last December’s devastating floods in the state.
He said as chairman of the national disaster committee, he had visited Terengganu to coordinate relief and recovery operations and was briefed on aid distribution.
“I went to places such as Seberang Takir and Kemaman, and I received a list from all the agencies on how the aid was being distributed,” Ahmad Zahid told a huge crowd of Barisan and Pakatan Harapan supporters.
“Umno supporters were said to have not received flood aid. It went just to their people.
“They talk about having a fair administration, but when it comes to giving out money, it is not fair.
“If you are fair, the money must go to everyone regardless of whether they are PAS, Umno or PKR supporters,” he added.
Barisan and Pakatan are together making an earnest bid to capture Terengganu which has been ruled by PAS since 2018.
Also present at yesterday’s event were Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and Terengganu Amanah chief Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin Raja Ahmad.
Ahmad, who was Terengganu mentri besar between 2008 and 2013, accused the PAS government of taking credit for initiatives that he had started, such as the new Tasek Kenyir jetty and Kuala Terengganu drawbridge.
“When I announced the drawbridge project, they criticised me, saying that it was a waste of money, but now they are claiming it as one of their successes.
“It was the same with the Tasik Kenyir jetty and bridge.
“They complained and questioned it, but the year before the Covid-19 pandemic, it helped drive tourism to Kenyir,” he pointed out.
