By Adib Zalkapli
KUALA KRAI, July 11 – Umno’s continued jibes at PAS’s candidate Fauzi Abdullah for being a mere fish wholesaler may well backfire on Barisan Nasional as members of two fishmongers and fish wholesalers associations yesterday gathered at a market near here to endorse the Islamist party in the Manek Urai campaign.
The fishmongers also promised to a hold grilled fish party today at all nine polling districts in the state constituency.
With three more days before polling, PAS leaders also continued defending their choice of candidate and his profession.
The show of support, also attended by Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, was in response to a statement made by Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin which allegedly belittled Fauzi’s profession.
Barisan Nasional (BN) is represented by former manager of land development, Kesedar project Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat.
“What’s wrong with selling fish? What about corruption? They made fun of fishmongers but their party is full of corruption and they are proud of it,” Nik Aziz told hundreds of people who were present at the gathering.
“Don’t they eat fish? Do
they catch the fish themselves,” Nik Aziz added.
The Kelantan fishmongers association’s head Tarmizi Salleh when addressing the crowd yesterday vowed to defend Fauzi throughout the campaign.
The Kuala Krai PAS treasurer later thanked his friends for their support.
“Today, we proved that our candidate can engage the public,” the organiser said after Fauzi addressed the crowd.
PAS’s defence of its candidate continued later in the evening with central committee member Mohamad Sabu calling Fauzi a God-fearing man, who spends most of his time after work at a local mosque.
“It is not that don’t have anyone with a degree in Manek Urai, there are many of them, but here Abe Uji is the best choice,” said Mohamad.
“The most important thing is he is trustworthy,” he added.
The candidates’ educational backgrounds has been a favourite topic of discussion since the start of the campaign last week and PAS has repeatedly said the matter is not an issue in this rural constituency.
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You don't know how papular Abe Uji down here. Here settled the people land problem without any government post! He is god-fearing man. Here can represent those people.
What else do you want?