Pas kicks up campaigning for Anwar

SEBERANG JAYA, Aug 19 — Right after the annual muktamar in Ipoh ended, Pas mobilised its members to help with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's campaign in Permatang Pauh. Although this is a Pas stronghold — the party won all the nine polling districts within the state constituency with 65.5 percent of the votes in the March 8 election — the Islamist party is not taking any chances, as it works towards ensuring Anwar's return to Parliament.

Last night at Anwar's mini rally in Kampung Petani, Permatang Pasir, more than 1,000 Pas supporters filled the venue ? a big turnout for a ceramah kelompok.

This morning, there was hardly anyone at one Pas operation centre near Kubang Semang because the real action is at State Assemblyman Hamdan Abdul Rahman's service centre in Permatang Pasir, where local Muslimat (women) members were seen briefing national leaders who had dropped by and making calls to other groups.

Workers at the centre said they worked closely with the PKR machinery especially on policy matters and campaign materials.

Pas Supporters Club founder Alex Yong said, "I'm here to observe, and maybe help in the campaigning." He is confident that Chinese and Indian voters have already decided to "send Anwar to Parliament".

Before noon, Pas Muslimat members started going out to meet voters in Sama Gagah and Simpang Empat.

"Permatang Pasir constituency will determine the success or failure of this campaign," said Permatang Pauh Muslimat election director Suraya Saat.

"We won by 6,886 votes here, and we are hoping to increase the number," she added. Suraya, who was busy answering and making phone calls when met at the service centre, said that the Muslimat members are only involved in planning mini rallies and house-to-house campaigns. "We work mostly during the day and the men will take over in the evening."

For Pas deputy election director Mariah Mahmud, she is skipping parliament this week as most of the Muslimat workers have arrived and are ready to help.

"I am just worried that Anwar supporters may be complacent and do not come out to vote. This is where we play our role to convince them to come out.

Mariah Mahmud (2nd from left) with local Muslimat leaders in Permatang Pasir.

We will also focus on voters who don't reside in the constituency," the Kota Raja MP told The Malaysian Insider. She is also worried that polling is set on a working day.

But she is relieved that the campaigning has gone smoothly. "I don't want a repeat of Ijok," she said, referring to the by-election in 2007.

She plans to stay in Permatang Pauh until Friday, and hopes that by then, she would have sorted out the Muslimat campaign machinery. "You don't see much of our work. We work behind the scene meeting the voters directly," she added.

Kelantan Pas is also already in full swing, with each of the 14 divisions in the state sending up to 30 volunteers. "So at any point of time, Kelantan Pas will have more than 300 members campaigning here," said Kelantan state exco member Dr Fadzli Hassan.

"This is a very important election, it is a turning point for Malaysian democracy and will determine the future of the country," said the Temangan state assemblyman who arrived in Permatang Pauh on Monday afternoon.

However, Pas is worried the uneducated Malay voters may be affected by the sodomy allegation against Anwar. "Most voters think that it is not an issue, but some may vote based on the allegation," said Penang Pas deputy commissioner Mujahid Yusof, who is also Parit Buntar MP, when he dropped by at the service centre to check on the progress in the campaigning.

-TMI