RAUB: Barisan Nasional component parties have expressed their confidence that Batu Talam voters will give the coalition's candidate Abdul Aziz Kiram a thumping majority.

State MCA deputy chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow said the party was confident the Chinese voters would back the Barisan candidate.

He said all state party leaders namely Wanita MCA chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen, MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, state exco members Datuk Fong Koong Fuee and Datuk Hoh Khai Mun and MCA state assemblymen were present almost daily in separate functions to woo the voters.

“We have started to meet voters even before the nomination day.

“I am sure the voters knew who had contributed and brought development to the area.”

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu urged the voters to support Abdul Aziz, saying he was capable of discharging his duties well.

He said Abdul Aziz was the right choice as he was from the area and has the experience to resolve the problems of the people.

“He had served as Raub Umno secretary since 2001 and was an officer with the Special Affairs Department.

“In contrast, his challenger is a young man and a greenhorn in politics,” he said after a meeting with Indian voters in Cheroh here.

Samy Vellu said the well-being of the Indian community would be secured under the leadership of Barisan chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He said many projects had been earmarked to be developed in Batu Talam, provided the people continue to support Barisan.

“I have instructed the party’s machinery to identify all Indian voters and make sure they come out to vote on polling day,” he said. State MIC chief Datuk M. Davendran said the party would deliver the votes of the 522 Indians in the constituency to the Barisan.

He said so far, party workers had got in touch with 411 of the voters, mainly residing in Taman Bintang, Rumah Murah Cheroh and Kampung India.

“We will work doubly hard to try and locate the remaining voters to ensure that the Barisan would secure a higher majority.

“A total of 87 of those we have contacted are currently working in Johor and Perak.

“We are preparing transportation to ferry them back to vote and send them off again this Sunday,” he said in an interview here.

Gerakan deputy president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said it has directed party members to meet the people as often as they could.

He said despite the Chinese voters making up about 11.7% of the total electorate, their votes were still crucial to secure a higher majority.

“The voters should not think just because the candidate is partyless and an unknown, we can take things easy.

“We must work together and ensure a higher voter turnout.”

People’s Progressive Party president Datuk M. Kayveas said the Indian community should not gamble away their future by voting for an independent candidate.

He said in a democratic country like Malaysia, all citizens have the right to vote according and that every vote counts.

“I must stressed that only Barisan can bring development and progress to the people.

“The track record of Barisan and the projects implemented in the constituency speak for themselves,” he said when met after meeting party members at its operations room here.

Kayveas said he has instructed the party’s machinery to assist other component parties in their house-to-house campaign to canvass for support.

The Batu Talam seat fell vacant after its assemblyman Datuk Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan died of rectal cancer on Dec 27.

Polling has been fixed on Jan 28.