SIMPANG: As the polling date for the Bukit Gantang by-election closes in, the Barisan Nasional (BN) election machinery upped the ante in trying to garner crucial non-Malay votes in the constituency.

Several big names including former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad are being bandied to address the Chinese and Indian communities in the parliamentary constituency.

Dr Mahathir is scheduled to make an appearance in Taiping this morning and later, at Bukit Selambau.

On April 5, Minister of International Trade and Industry and Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was in Simpang meeting with the Chinese and Indian communities at separate events, explaining the need for them to vote for BN candidate Ismail Saffian come April 7.

From the large crowds at the two events, it was a signal that the communities were willing to hear out what BN leaders had to say to them.

“Voters must choose the party that can deliver on its promises and not just make empty promises,” he said at SRJK (C) Sin Min here.

Speaking at the school’s packed hall, he said the opposition party candidates did not touch on issues pertaining to the country’s economy but instead resorted to sensational news and spreading lies.

“The BN government’s top priority is to sustain the economy, and we have been implementing various measures,” he said, alluding to the stimulus packages announced by the government.

Muhyiddin said he was encouraged by the turnout at the school, adding that the Chinese community was rational and would exercise its voting right wisely.
 
He then handed over a cheque for RM1 million to the school board members. He said the fund was from the government to help upgrade the school, which needs a total of RM1.8 million.

Parents packing the school hall cheered Muhyiddin on as he said in his speech that the BN was a party that walks the talk.

“The opposition just talks. I am sure tonight in their ceramah they will criticise us giving money to the community as fishing for votes.”

“Whether we give or don’t give they will still criticise us,” he said.

Later, he met a group of Indian Progressive Front (IPF) party members and Indians living in Simpang at another school.

To thunderous applause from the boisterous group, Muhyiddin said the government had never abandoned Indians as claimed by certain quarters.

“For example, the government has allocated RM80 million to upgrade Tamil schools nationwide.

“Recently, the Tekun micro-credit scheme was extended to Indian entreprenuers and there is at least RM12 million allocated for this,” he said.

He also cautioned the Indians against supporting PAS which has been advocating an Islamic country with hudud laws.

“If they come to power what will happen to Indians who now have the freedom to practise their own religion?” he said.

Later, the IPF members took an oath before Muhyiddin that the party members would vote en bloc for the BN candidate in the by-election.

Speaking to reporters after the cheque handover ceremony, Muhyiddin said that BN and Umno would be further strengthened with the return of Dr Mahathir to Umno after he quit the party more than a year ago.

“We will benefit from the advice of a statesman and seasoned politician like Tun Dr Mahathir.

“No, he has not sought any position nor is he dictating as to who should be in the cabinet,” he said to a question if Dr Mahathir was dictating who should be in the cabinet.

Muhyiddin also refused to comment when asked on the suggestion by certain MCA quarters that another deputy prime minister’s post be created for its president as it was the second largest party in the BN coalition.