THE LAND OF INDEPENDENTS.....SHSSSSSS!

CHUAN, Malaysian, now moonlighting as househusband in Bangkok, ex-Dunlop tech manager, former Georgian, wanted very badly to help out in the by-elections. He drove into Taiping a few hours after Duke. Duke, of course, was here earlier but had to return to KL Sunday night. He sms me that he would be in Taiping on Tuesday because he did not trust me being alone. How lah to go astray when you have friends like that?

After breakfast, Chuan drove Duke and I to Bukit Selambau. Of course BS will go down in history for the wrong reasons. 13 Independent Candidates want to vie for this one seat. This has set me wondering what these clowns are after.....they belong to no political parties or were discards from some party and now they want to stake a claim....for what? I am here in BS to see what is special about this town that 13 individuals put in some RM8000 to appear in the World's Book of Records. We drove into Sungei Patani, now bedecked with BN and PAS/PKR election accoutrements.


But one sight touched me. In all the by-elections that I was involved in PAS presence was always very significant. This group from Kelantan's Gua Musang set up their own service centre to help out. You can always expect that of PAS.

When we arrived at the PKR Op centre in Taman Desar Marwar in Bedong, a press conference was in progress. YB Tian Chua, Member of Parliament for BATU, is here to give all his expertise to young Manikumar, PKR's candidate for Bukit Selambau.

After the PC, I had the occasion to share a few moments with Mani. His handshake was firm. I like that, but as he spoke I knew that he was tense. I am aware of what he is up against.....not the opposition but his own people, currently fractured and divided.

But YB Tian Chua, brushed that aside and gave the assurance that the perceived problem can and will be contained. It would have been a shoo-in for young Mani, but those spoilers are out to make some waves. I just hope that good sense will prevail and the people will put their trust in Manikumar.

Kak Wan paid a brief visit to the centre together with some of her lady supporters. Chuan keeps them company and we found out that these three ladies were veterans of the Reformasi Movement in the early 90's......all tear-gassed and water-cannoned. And they continue to ride the wave of the Reformasi Movement. Syabas Mem.

A WIN FOR PAKATAN RAKYAT

IS A WIN AGAINST

THE NEW REGIME.

All pics thanks to the Duke. He whispers HERE