Three-cornered fight in Kuala Terengganu by-election

The battle begins.

The Kuala Terengganu by-election on Jan 17 will be a three-cornered fight between Barisan Nasional's Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, PAS's Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut and Independent candidate Azharuddin Mamat.

Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut (left), Wan Ahmad Farid (center), Azharuddin Mamat (right)

Former Senator Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, 46, is a former political secretary to the prime minister and deputy home minister. He has been the Kuala Terengganu Umno division head for two terms and Umno deputy president.

Five-term Wakaf Mempelam assemblyman Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut, 52, a state executive councilor in charge of entrepreneur development and youths when PAS ruled Terengganu from 1999 to 2003. He is also Terengganu PAS treasurer and the party's Kuala Terengganu chief. He holds a degree in marine science and fisheries from Universiti Putra Malaysia.

Independent candidate businessman Azharudin Mamat @ Adam, 56, of Kampung Ladang claims he is not a member of any political party and is contesting because he wanted to help the poor. He had never contested in any elections before and he is participating using his own funds.


Nominations were held at the Stadium Negeri in Jalan Sultan Mahmud and closed at 10 am. During the objection from 10 am to 11 am, four objections were filed.

However at about 11.30 am returning officer Mat Razali Kassim said that the objections were rejected and confirmed the three-cornered fight.

The by-election, to be held after 11 days of campaigning, follows the sudden death of BN representative Razali Ismail on Nov 28.

There seems to be a great fight and the fight seems to be between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat.

Is PAS anti development?

The standard of living refers to the quality and quantity of goods and services available and how these goods and services are distributed to the people.


Undeniably, development could help raise the living standard of the poor in the country. The developmental schemes could be more effective if these were drawn up after assessing the needs of the people.

How can the government managing more effectively to improve the living standard of the poor and enabling them to maximize the benefit she provides are the main problem face by responsible government.

Ironically, the Barisan Nasional federal government brings development to the people at all times, not just during elections.

Pas’ condemnation of the Barisan Nasional (BN) government’s development efforts in Kuala Terengganu by claiming that multi-million ringgit projects were implemented because there was a by-election in the area strongly indicated that the opposition party has run out of issues for the campaign in the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election on Jan 17.

Terengganu had lagged behind under Pas’ administration. When BN took over the administration, rapid development occurred. The blaming of development is wastage by Pas is illogical.

The question remains: Is Pas really against development or otherwise?

A Kuala Terengganu Chinatown walk

Kuala Terengganu Chinatown, located at the river bank of Kuala Terengganu, had been announced as one of the world heritage site by Uniesco.

The town had been built by the Chinese traders around 16th centuries ago and had been responsible for the expansion the town in terms of economic.

The old Chinese building build in 16th century, the old temples, Ho Ann Kiong Temple and Tien Hou Kong which build around 18th century are the main tourist attraction in Chinatown. It drew nostalgia from inside and outside, and attracted limited tourists to get photos taken under the old sign.


A compassionate Buddhist relief organization Tzu Chi liaison centers which provided various forms of aid to the poor is stand out above the 236 units of old buildings which dated back to the late 1800s flank the road.


Though one to evoke nostalgia by viewing the old building and to indulge the nostalgia sentiment, it certainly conjured the days gone by, when children did not have the luxury of life as it is today.


The past experience can not be duplicated but the sentiment and relationship between the past and present can be nostalgia.


The surrounding areas have developed tremendously but the town just a memory and remains unchanged. The Chinese culture and environment seem frozen in time, but the continued ability of the Chinese food to satiate a nostalgia-induced is well maintained.


There exists no random eatery for non-Chinese in Chinatown. It just caters for the need of Chinese community. The town is not squeeze by gentrification or assimilation of the customers.


The present old generation does not have the young generation to take over as the second generation is fully educated. As the old generation grows older and new generation of teenagers fade away, a memory of their time here stays on as Chinatown is remain un-reinvented.

Is the Kuala Terengganu Chinatown a fade away town with big treasure waiting to be discovered or otherwise?

Vote BN government for continuity

The Barisan Nasional Terengganu State Government has a proven track record of consistently eradicating poverty, providing better education, creating economic opportunities as well as upgrading infrastructure.

Beautiful beach

Ironically, education has great impact on human development, collective well-being and economic growth, and it is one of the most important fundamental requirements for democracy.

To keep pace with globalization beside the high literacy rate in the state which is in excess of 94%, the Barisan Nasional Terengganu state government is making an evolution in education by embarking on the e-book project to reduce the burden of school children who had to carry many books to school and to access to archives or other vital resources.


The state government is allocating RM30 million for the procurement of the computers and broadband connection.

Terengganu State Education Department

By next April 2009, 25,000 pupils in Year Five pupils in Terengganu will be given broadband-enabled laptop computers under the state’s electronic textbook or e-book programme.