Manifesto launch gives BN campaign extra boost — Minos

KUCHING: The launching of the Barisan Nasional (BN) manifesto for the Tanjong Datu by-election by Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg has given the BN’s campaign an extra boost.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) publicity committee chairman Datuk Peter Minos said the BN had done well during the first week of campaigning, particularly with Abang Johari and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak joining the campaign trail.

“Even though the first three days after nomination day were a bit quiet, but the fighting spirit was strong,” he said in a statement yesterday.

“The dominant issue has been the thoughts and talk of deep respect and gratitude for the late chief minister (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri) Adenan (Satem). People openly expressed their love for Adenan, and this shows that the people obviously miss him.”

Minos is confident that the people will vote for BN candidate Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu, who is Adenan’s widow.

“We will vote Jamilah to show that Adenan is eternally in our hearts. Those are the voices on the ground. This love for Adenan is the true phenomena in Tanjong Datu regardless of race, religion and background,” he said.

“One Chinese vegetable seller talked with fondness and in tears. She told me that the Adenan always bought vegetables from her whenever he was in Sematan.”

Tanjong Datu, Minos emphasised, is a bastion of BN and PBB, so it would not be easy for the opposition to penetrate into the area.

“Adenan would always be the hero. The two opposition candidates can say and create any issue but I think 90 per cent of the voters there will not be moved,” he said.

“Rain or shine, many have told me that they will stick on with PBB and BN. With this kind of mood, I foresee that BN-PBB will win massively.”

However, Minos pointed out that PBB was worried about a low turnout because the constituents might believe that BN would definitely retain the seat so they would not need to cast their votes.

As such he said BN would not take things for granted and would campaign for every vote.

“BN ministers, grassroots leaders and members are going all out and the target is to have a high voter turnout; hence the theme ‘Come down to vote if you truly love and remember our late chief minister Adenan’,” he said.

“Voting BN is voting Adenan. The second and last week will see BN going aggressive with the campaigning. We will keep the spirit up until voting day.”