‘Cuti-cuti Balik Kampung’ to vote, visit friends and relatives, says Warisan’s Kimanis by-election candidate

BEAUFORT: Taking a cue from the “Cuti-Cuti Malaysia” tagline, Parti Warisan Sabah candidate for the Kimanis by-election Datuk Karim Bujang (pic) adopts the “Cuti-Cuti Balik Kampung” motto to lure voters to return to cast their votes on polling day.

The former five-term Bongawan assemblyman said this means that constituents living outside Kimanis can come home to vote, as well as visit relatives and in-laws.

“The motto I am using to attract voters living outside (of Kimanis) is ‘Cuti-Cuti Balik Kampung’... You can also take time to visit your relatives, your in-laws.

“So it’s like a two in one, coming home to vote and catch up. Such an idea reflects good spirit, ” he told reporters when met at a coffee shop during the tamu (weekly market) at Membakut on Sunday (Jan 12).

There are 29,664 voters under the Kimanis parliamentary seat, which covers the state seats of Bongawan and Membakut.

Karim said the majority of outside constituents were living in the state capital.

“I believe there should be about 2,000 in Kota Kinabalu... I also learned we have about 600-700 voters in Labuan.

“My guess is that since Chinese New Year holidays are just one week after polling, they might take an extended holiday - meaning they will come over the weekend to vote and continue with the CNY holidays.

“But it is not a big deal if they are staying in Kota Kinabalu because it's not that far from Kimanis, ” he said, foreseeing there should be no problem with voters returning home in time for polling day.

Asked if they anticipate the problem of phantom voters or other tactics during the elections, Karim answered, “I am not sure if such ‘pengundi hantu’ are still around, but based on my experience contesting five terms as (Bongawan) assemblyman, I have not met one (in the constituency).”

Amanah vice president Datuk Mahfuz Omar was also present to join Karim in his campaign visit to the market.

Meanwhile, the BN machinery led by Umno’s Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein was also seen on the ground, as well as PAS machinery.

The separate groups went on with their respective business and were cordial to each other during the encounters.