Pakatan underdog in Cameron Highlands polls, says Kit Siang.
Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa has decried the claim that the Cameron Highlands by-election playing field is uneven, further alleging that the polls would see a “daylight robbery” by Pakatan Harapan (PH).
He said this in response to DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, who said that it would be a “miracle” if PH wins the Jan 26 by-election.
“Miracles? With opposition hands tied, accounts frozen, incumbent disqualified, (Election Commission) chief a political appointee, government machinery at Harapan’s disposal, and ‘political donations’ by the millions…no way (will it be) a miracle YB (Lim), but it is going to be a daylight robbery!” Annuar tweeted.
The issues raised by the Ketereh MP are similar to complaints by Harapan lawmakers when Barisan Nasional (BN) was in power.
Lim, in a speech on New Year’s Eve, said that DAP would be the underdog in the Cameron Highlands by-election.
He said PH has little chance of winning as it did not get much support from Malay and Orang Asli voters there in the last general election.
The DAP veteran leader said Cameron Highlands had always been one of BN’s “fixed deposit” parliamentary seats in the past six decades.
However, he was hopeful in saying that Malaysia is now in the “era of miracles” ever since Harapan ended Umno’s 61-year rule.
DAP secretary-general and Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng also conceded that DAP will be facing a stiff fight in the Cameron Highlands by-election.
Lim said the advantages would definitely be on MIC’s side as it had held the parliamentary seat for a long time.
“The seat has never been won by Pakatan Harapan or DAP. Indeed, it will be a stiff fight. Although the advantage is on the side of MIC, we will endeavour to create history by winning the Cameron Highlands seat so that the people can experience sustainable economic and development results.
“We don’t want solely development, we want sustainable development specifically in a green area like Cameron Highlands,’’ he told reporters today.
Asked on the candidate, Lim said the party Central Executive Committee (CEC) would meet this week to discuss who would be contesting in the by-election, after which an announcement would be made.
“We will be having a CEC meeting first over the next few days, then we will make the announcement. I will make the announcement because we also want to make preparations,” he said.
DAP’s M Manogaran narrowly lost Cameron Highlands by 597 votes to MIC vice-president Datuk C Sivarraajh in the 14th general election, but Manogaran successfully contested the results in court.