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KUALA TERENGGANU: Campaigning for a by-election in Malaysia's eastern capital of Kuala Terengganu is off to a roaring start. Thousands of supporters from both sides of the political divide turned up in full force on nomination day.
It is a three-cornered fight for the hotly-contested Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat.
Former deputy home minister Wan Farid Wan Salleh is taking on Mohd Wahid Endut from the opposition Islamic party PAS. Independent candidate, Azharuddin Mamat, a traditional medicine practitioner, joined in the fray, at the last minute.
Under the watchful eyes of nearly 3,000 riot police officers, PAS supporters clearly outnumbered the ruling Barisan Nasional's (BN).
Still, BN, led by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, is hopeful that the by-election will turn the tide on the opposition. It is hoping the result will mark the beginning of BN's recovery after suffering its worst electoral setback in history last March.
Given that this is the first electoral test after the power transition plan was hammered out between Mr Najib and Prime Minister Abdullah, the Kuala Terengganu's by-election is seen as a gauge of the people's support towards Mr Najib's leadership.
Mr Najib said he will remain in Kuala Terengganu to ensure BN's victory.
He said: "We know the challenge is stiff and we cannot underestimate PAS. No doubt, they will be a formidable opponent. But at the end of the day, we will prevail."
Mr Najib has also promised greater development for the east coast state.
However, the PAS candidate is unfazed by the competition. Mohd Wahid Endut, candidate, PAS, said: "I've been a five-term assemblyman. What's there to be afraid of?"
The opposition Islamic party is also not entirely free from trouble. Analysts said a setback in Kuala Terengganu would also mean that Mr Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Rakyat opposition coalition is losing tractions on the ground. - CNA/vm
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