Only Ramkarpal seem to be campaigning in the Bukit Gelugor by-election while his opponents take a stealth approach
GEORGE TOWN: While obtaining a landslide victory in the Bukit Gelugor parliamentary by-election may just be a walk-in-the park for DAP candidate Ramkarpal Singh Deo, the son of Karpal Singh is not complacent or resting on his laurels.
He is especially perturbed by the silent tactics of two independent candidates – Mohamed Nabi Bux Mohamed Abdul Sathar, 63, and lawyer Abu Backer Sidik Mohamad Zan, 46.
Ramkarpal suspects the non-existence of any form of campaign by the two so far could be a strategy to make constituents “to forget” the by-election.
He suspects that both independents were planted by Barisan Nasional just that to confuse the DAP and voters.
Feeling uneasy about it despite wide prediction of a guaranteed big by-election win, he hinted that the DAP may have to re-strategise its election campaign to counter the uncertainties created by the two independents.
“We still have to work hard as we really do not know our opponents’ tactics.
“There is risk of voters forgetting the impending by-election.
“Perhaps that is part of BN’s strategy so DAP does have to re-strategise,” Ramkarpal told newsmen after meeting voters in Seri Delima state constituency, one of the three under Bukit Gelugor, today.
Air Itam and Paya Terubong are the other state seats under Bukit Gelugor.
A check showed both independents have not put up any campaign banners, posters or streamers, or even started walkabouts or meet-the-people sessions so far except issuing media statements during Monday’s nomination day.
Favourite Ramkarpal faces the independents and Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president Huan Cheng Guan in a four-cornered fight for Bukit Gelugor.
Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow who accompanied Ramkarpal said the by-election was unlike previous ones where the DAP would know who and what it was up against.
He admitted that the DAP was in the dark about the independents.
“We don’t even see them campaign and don’t know their tactics,” he said.
Campaign wave to hit Teluk Intan
Ramkarpal however, looks confident in his campaign trail, convinced by large turnouts for DAP rallies and positive feedbacks from grassroots.
He also hopes that the positivity favouring DAP would reach the next by-election in Teluk Intan.
Through Bukit Gelugor, he said the DAP had also kick start its Teluk Intan by-election campaign.
“It can be seen as two in one campaign, ” he said.
The Bukit Gelugor federal seat fell vacant after Ramkarpal’s father and incumbent MP Karpal Singh was killed in a highway accident near Kampar, Perak on April 17.
Karpal’s aide, Micheal also perished in the fatal accident, while Ramkarpal, who was travelling with his father, escaped with minor injuries.
The late Karpal polled 55,839 votes to score a massive majority victory of 41,778 votes against Barisan Nasional candidate Teh Beng Yeam, who could just garner 14,061 votes, in the 2013 general election.
According to Election Commission latest data, Bukit Gelugor has 82,431 voters comprising 61,267 or 74.33% Chinese, 11,913 or 14.46% Malays, 8,848 or 10.73% Indians and 403 or 0.49% others.
Observers had predicted Ramkarpal to romp home with an easy win.
His only challenge is predicted to be to either match or better his father’s stunning majority.
He is especially perturbed by the silent tactics of two independent candidates – Mohamed Nabi Bux Mohamed Abdul Sathar, 63, and lawyer Abu Backer Sidik Mohamad Zan, 46.
Ramkarpal suspects the non-existence of any form of campaign by the two so far could be a strategy to make constituents “to forget” the by-election.
He suspects that both independents were planted by Barisan Nasional just that to confuse the DAP and voters.
Feeling uneasy about it despite wide prediction of a guaranteed big by-election win, he hinted that the DAP may have to re-strategise its election campaign to counter the uncertainties created by the two independents.
“We still have to work hard as we really do not know our opponents’ tactics.
“There is risk of voters forgetting the impending by-election.
“Perhaps that is part of BN’s strategy so DAP does have to re-strategise,” Ramkarpal told newsmen after meeting voters in Seri Delima state constituency, one of the three under Bukit Gelugor, today.
Air Itam and Paya Terubong are the other state seats under Bukit Gelugor.
A check showed both independents have not put up any campaign banners, posters or streamers, or even started walkabouts or meet-the-people sessions so far except issuing media statements during Monday’s nomination day.
Favourite Ramkarpal faces the independents and Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president Huan Cheng Guan in a four-cornered fight for Bukit Gelugor.
Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow who accompanied Ramkarpal said the by-election was unlike previous ones where the DAP would know who and what it was up against.
He admitted that the DAP was in the dark about the independents.
“We don’t even see them campaign and don’t know their tactics,” he said.
Campaign wave to hit Teluk Intan
Ramkarpal however, looks confident in his campaign trail, convinced by large turnouts for DAP rallies and positive feedbacks from grassroots.
He also hopes that the positivity favouring DAP would reach the next by-election in Teluk Intan.
Through Bukit Gelugor, he said the DAP had also kick start its Teluk Intan by-election campaign.
“It can be seen as two in one campaign, ” he said.
The Bukit Gelugor federal seat fell vacant after Ramkarpal’s father and incumbent MP Karpal Singh was killed in a highway accident near Kampar, Perak on April 17.
Karpal’s aide, Micheal also perished in the fatal accident, while Ramkarpal, who was travelling with his father, escaped with minor injuries.
The late Karpal polled 55,839 votes to score a massive majority victory of 41,778 votes against Barisan Nasional candidate Teh Beng Yeam, who could just garner 14,061 votes, in the 2013 general election.
According to Election Commission latest data, Bukit Gelugor has 82,431 voters comprising 61,267 or 74.33% Chinese, 11,913 or 14.46% Malays, 8,848 or 10.73% Indians and 403 or 0.49% others.
Observers had predicted Ramkarpal to romp home with an easy win.
His only challenge is predicted to be to either match or better his father’s stunning majority.
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