Size of candidates' homes an issue

IPOH - The battle for votes in several constituencies in Perak has turned to comparisons of the size of candidates' homes. The Democratic Action Party (DAP) started by distributing fliers describing how large the homes of local Barisan Nasional leaders were.

Perak Malaysian Chinese Association vice-chairman Chew Wai Khoon responded that this was a 'dirty tactic' and countered with accusations of his own. 'I know for a fact the Perak DAP chairman himself has a huge home in Sitiawan, almost 1,900 sq m...in fact, I know a lot of other DAP leaders are quite rich. My house is less than 1,000 sq m,' he said.

The Star/Asia News Network

'Dear Prime Minister' website launched

PEKAN - In a move aimed clearly at garnering more support for the ruling coalition, the government yesterday launched a website that allows people to air their opinions to the Prime Minister.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said the website www.warkahuntukpm.com.my - 'letters for the PM' - was created to forge closer relations between people and the government.

'The website would continue after the general election as it is an important channel to access public opinion,' he said.

Malaysian astronaut Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor was appointed as an ambassador to promote the website.

Bernama

Barisan woos non-Malays in Kelantan

KOTA BARU - Barisan Nasional yesterday unveiled a manifesto for Kelantan that focuses on giving more to non-Malays in the state, which it wants to win back from Parti Islam SeMalaysia.

The four-year plan addresses key issues such as vernacular education, economic opportunities, property ownership and the basic rights of the non-Malays. Clearly targeting Chinese, Thai and Indian voters, it also touches on burial grounds, religious houses, ethnic food businesses and village infrastructure.

BN also said it will help fund 18 Chinese schools and 20 Thai-language classes at temples, and promised to build a state mosque and a hydroelectric dam and to halve public parking fees.

The Star/Asia News Network

Okay to seek funds from abroad

KUALA LUMPUR - The Election Commission yesterday said it was not illegal for candidates to solicit funds from overseas. Companies or individuals, it added, could donate as long as they did it openly and transparently, reported Nanyang Siang Pau.

A Democratic Action Party candidate who recently sent e-mail to Singaporeans soliciting campaign funds, meanwhile, explained that she had e-mailed her friends worldwide, not just in Singapore. Ms Jenice Lee Ying Ha said she believed some of her friends or supporters had forwarded her e-mail to some Singaporeans who did not know her, reported Sin Chew Daily.