Abg Jo: PAS candidates laughable as ‘unknowns’ in constituency

April 30, 2013

Abang Ahmad Kerdee hails from Spaoh (Betong) and does not even live in the state.

-Tuan Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy president Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg has advised people not to take seriously all candidates fielded by PAS in the state this general election.

The Housing Minister yesterday said PAS appeared to have not done their homework in the constituencies, judging from the candidates that the Islamic-based party had fielded to face Barisan Nasional.

Based on the issues raised in the respective areas, most of the candidates seem outdated or are not fully aware of the update and efforts taken by the government to resolve the matters.

Citing one of the seats that PAS contested, Abang Johari said the candidate is a non-local who does not frequent that constituency to meet with the people. He mentioned that locals do not even recognise or know the candidate prior to the person’s nomination.

“They can’t even field the right candidate. Most of PAS candidates do not even know the background and needs of their respective constituents. It appears that they did not do their homework in these constituencies.

“Even if the candidate is an outsider, this would be fine if the person knows the situation or background of the constituency and its constituents. Otherwise, they would just become a laughing stock,” Abang Johari told reporters after officiating at the earth-breaking ceremony for Taman Sri Tuang Phase III affordable housing project near here yesterday.

Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, in his speech earlier, cited PAS Kota Samarahan candidate Abang Ahmad Kerdee Abang Masagus an example of a non-local contesting in a constituency that the candidate rarely visited.

Women show strong support to Rubiah as BN candidate

April 22, 2013, Monday

ENTHUSIASTIC: Rubiah poses with BN supporters at the Kota Samarahan Civic Centre.
Among them are Shahrizat (fifth right), Fatimah (fourth left), Mohd Ali (third right) and
Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (third left). — Photos By Jeffery Mostapa

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Womenfolk made their presence strongly felt on nomination day for the Kota Samarahan seat Saturday.

As expected, it is a straight fight between Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu – Barisan Nasional’s (PBB/BN) Rubiah Wang and PAS’s Abang Ahmad Kerdee Abang Masagus for this semi-rural constituency of mostly Malay voters.

First-time candidate Rubiah was accompanied by Wanita BN chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and PBB Women deputy chief Datuk Fatimah Abdullah who is also state minister for Welfare, Women and Family Development.

Also on hand to lend support were Muara Tuang assemblyman Dato Sri Mohd Ali Mahmud, Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah and a 1,000 strong contingent of blue-shirt supporters carrying PBB and BN flags.

Many arrived as early as 8am on chartered buses and had earlier gathered at Masjid Darul Taqwa about half a kilometre from the Kota Samarahan Civic Centre which was the official nomination centre.

Meanwhile, Abang Ahmad Kerdee was accompanied by a smaller group of 100 green-clad supporters carrying banners, flags and signs.

Rubiah and Abang Ahmad Kerdee arrived at the nomination centre at 9am on the dot, accompanied by their respective supporters who waited more than an hour outside the civic centre for their candidates to be confirmed.