20,290 in Permatang Pasir head to the polls today

What say you on the issue below?

BUKIT MERTAJAM: The 20,290 voters in Permatang Pasir head to the polling booths Tuesday to pick their new assemblyman.

The battle is between Barisan Nasional’s Rohaizat Othman, 38, a Syariah legal adviser and PAS Mohd Salleh Man, 52, who is state PAS commissioner.

Both candidates are not from the constituency, but have ties with the area by virtue of growing up in the nearby towns of Penanti and Permatang Sungai Dua respectively.

Big day: A staff member of the Election Commision pasting a notice at a polling centre in Sekolah Kebangsaan Permatang Pasir Monday.

Since the seat fell vacant following the death of PAS assemblyman Datuk Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman on July 31, this semi-urban town dotted with kampung houses has been a hive of activity.

Numerous Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat personalities have made repeated visits, combing the constituency since nomination day on Aug 17 to woo the voters.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has pledged to adopt Permatang Pasir as its golden child (anak emas) if Barisan wins.

For PAS, it is the party’s last bastion in Penang and party election director Datuk Mahfuz Omar has vowed to protect the golden seat, which Mohd Hamdan held for three terms.

Barisan by-election director Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said they believed the coalition chances of winning were better than in Manek Urai as the issues here were mainly local issues.

Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Yusof said he expected an 80% voter turnout although the state had not declared today a public holiday.

The Permatang Pasir electorate comprises 72.36% Malays, 25.85% Chinese, 1.63% Indians and 0.16% others.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, meanwhile, said EC staff on duty have been advised to give out face masks and provide hand sanitisers in all polling stations, in light of the Influenza A(H1N1) pandemic.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail are expected to cast their votes in SK Seri Penanti at 8am.

Polling ends at 5pm. The results are expected to be out by 8pm.

Meanwhile, in Petaling Jaya, PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas has ensured that its 305 voters in Permatang Pasir will support Barisan.

“Although 305 voters are not too many, these votes will be a decider if there is a close result,” added Kayveas in a statement yesterday.