Where is DAP's stand on hudud?

Wanita Umno has challenged DAP leaders to openly support Pas' effort to set up an Islamic state and implement "hudud" laws.

Its information chief Datuk Hamidah Osman claimed that DAP was trying to portray itself as Islam-friendly party when campaigning for Pas candidate in Galas, here.

"This is the right time for DAP to make their stand on the matter," he told reporters at Bandar Lama MCA operations centre here. Also present was Bandar Lama MCA branch chief Raymond Ho Eng Cheong.

Hamidah said DAP had been distributing leaflets, "Roket Baru", which portrayed the party as Islam friendly and its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng as a leader who emulates Muslim caliph Umar Abdul Aziz.

"If they really support Islam, they should say it openly. Unfortunately, DAP leaders are known for their ability to say different things to the Malays and non-Malays," she said.

Hamidah also said that former Perak Menteri Besar from Pas, Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, should stop from making false accusations against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

"He's been telling the Chinese here that the Prime Minister and Umno does not appreciate them and are not interested to get their votes.

"It's not true and we will use our machinery to explain the real situation," she said.      

On the Chinese support to BN in Galas,  Ho claimed that the percentage had increased to 85 per cent, almost similar to what BN had enjoyed before 2008.

There are 2,317 Chinese voters in Galas, which is about 20 per cent of the total 11,553 eligible voters.

Econjaya: Pavillion of Gua Musang

Contrary to the services and food business, clothing, and basic personal stuff are however sold cheaper than the usual price in the city.  Customers are spoilt for choice and the prices are usually affordable and within the budget of many.

For example, you can fetch a decent t-shirt at only RM10, and pants at about RM20 plus. Children schoolbags are tagged at RM6.90 to RM10...depending on the design and size. I have seen the same bags sold in KL for RM20!

Econjaya usually opens at 10am and closes at 10pm. You can find almost everything in it from clothing, shoes, biscuits, drinks and many more. A typical Econsave supermarket. In Gua Musang, it's almost everything the locals need.

Sometimes, less is more. Of course, if you are the brand-concious type of a person, then you wouldn't agree. But if you are okay with an average quality, then it's not so bad. You'll live...:-)

Also, along the shophouses opposite the Econjaya, there are tents set up selling blankets, nasi lemak kukus, t-shirts and even a A&W trailer for the convenience of the visitors and locals especially during the peak time of the upcoming by-election.

Once you get used to it, Gua Musang can be your next Pavillion if you want...:-)

Teoh Beng Hock's sister detained

Police today detained Teoh Lee Lan, the sister of the late political aide, Teoh Beng Hock for allegedly distributing pamphlets on her brother's death and campaigning in Kampung Baru.

She was taken to the Gua Musang district police station along with Beng Hock's brother-in-law, Soh Cher Hai and two others from the group, Malaysians for Beng Hock.

The group was in Gua Musang over the last two days to lobby for a royal commission to be set up to investigate Beng Hock's death.

According to Superintendent Maszely Minhad, the police had received complaints that the group were allegedly participating in campaigning activities in contravention of Section 4A (1) of the Election Offences Act.

It is learnt that the four are expected to be released after having their statements recorded.

Maslan's dare to Pas

In a visit to the NSTP media centre today, Datuk Ahmad Maslan, the Umno Information chief had a clear message to convey to the public, and a dare to Pas too. He came prepared with a list of projects that the government had allotted for the Kelantan people, saying that 13 out of 14 projects listed are already completed.

While it has been a norm for Pas to question what has the BN government done elsewhere in Malaysia, he pointed out that in Kelantan, Pas is the government. So he wants to know where is Pas' list of development that has been completed for Kelantan in the past 20 years. A valid point there.

Pas is now switching strategy to use the 'spiritual' aspect in human development, stating that is also a development nonetheless. Well, it's up to the people to decide.

For the full story, get NST in print tomorrow...:-)

Kelantan creates history

The Red Warriors created history tonight when they defeated Negri Sembilan in a thrilling Malaysia Cup final that had spectators on the edge of their seats the entire game.

Kelantan beat Negri Sembilan 2-1 at the National Stadium Bukit Jalil to hoist the Malaysia Cup for the first time.

The victory is celebrated by Kelantan football fans, while the ongoing Galas by-election took a back seat today as fans in the state focused on the match up.

In addition to the win, tomorrow will be a public holiday for Kelantan to celebrate the long-awaited victory and rest before resuming work on Monday.

Postal voting starts today

NSTpix by Fathil Asri

Postal voting for the N45 Galas state seat kicked off today with 50 Election Commission workers casting their ballots at the Gua Musang Land and District Office here.

The remaining 127, who are policemen on duty during the by-election would vote tomorrow at the Gua Musang district police headquarters.

Postal voting will be from 9am - 5pm on the two days.

According to EC deputy secretary, Datuk Noordin Che Ngah, the postal votes would be stored in the strong room at the district office's operation room which would be guarded by policemen.

He also dismissed Pas's allegations of phantom voters.

Students released after statements taken

Police today recorded statements from four university students who were detained for several hours yesterday for allegedly distributing political pamphlets in the Galas state constituency.

Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the students, aged between 18 - 25 years old were taken to the district police station and released soon after.

"We are investigating if the students are from Gua Musang or outsiders," he said after a briefing at the police operations centre here.

He said they would also work with the Election Commission and the students' universities during their investigations.

The students are from a group, calling themselves Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam SeMalaysia (Gamis) and were allegedly distributing brochures urging the locals to exercise their democratic right to vote.

A spokesman yesterday said the group represented students from various universities and had come to Galas to observe the campaign process and also explain to the people certain national issues, including the 2011 budget and how it effects them.

Higher Education Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the detention of the students should not be politicised as they were merely detained for not possessing a valid permit to distribute the pamphlets.

"The students were not aligned to any political party and were merely there to urge the people to come out and vote. They are acting on their own and nothing to do with their respective universities.

"However, I would like to advise these students to go home and concentrate on their studies instead," he said when contacted.

On another issue, Ismail also said the police had to date received four reports on minor incidents involving the parties contesting the by-election here.

"I urge all parties to adhere to the laws and prevent any untoward incidents," he added.