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By Mihar Dias (C) Copywrite August 2024
Here's a well-worn tradition of pre-election development promises—Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi must have a special "Election Playbook" just for these occasions.
One can almost picture him rummaging through a drawer labeled "Emergency Promises," only to pull out dusty plans whenever a by-election is on the horizon.
PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden seems to have caught on, playfully pointing out Zahid's newfound zeal for Nenggiri's development.
It appears Zahid has stumbled upon the ancient electoral secret: promises of shiny new projects are like candy to voters who've been starved for attention. Funny how this "candy" never seems to appear outside of election season, though!
As Rural and Regional Development Minister, Zahid's impeccable timing is truly something to behold.
Why roll out grandiose plans for Nenggiri just before a by-election?
It could be a case of "strategic procrastination," or maybe Zahid's been too occupied with other pressing matters—like drafting new promises to add to his ever-growing list.
The latest pledge to transform Nenggiri within a year if BN wins the state seat sounds suspiciously familiar. Wasn't there a similar pitch before the Sungai Bakap by-election?
Zahid's development fairy wand seems to flicker to life only when a seat is at stake. It’s almost as if the people of Nenggiri are worth the investment only if they come with a vote guarantee.
Then there's the sudden spotlight on agencies like KESEDAR and FELDA, whose roles in Kelantan's progress are now touted as indispensable.
One might cynically ask if these agencies have been in hibernation, waiting for the political go-ahead to unleash their transformative powers.
As Afnan humorously hints, Zahid's tried-and-true strategy might just backfire once more. If the voters of Nenggiri are as savvy as those in Sungai Bakap, they might see through the last-minute promise parade.
After all, nothing screams "genuine commitment" like a politician who only remembers your existence when they're hunting for votes.
So here we are, witnessing the same old political theatrics, complete with lofty promises, dreamy development visions, and a generous helping of cynicism.
Perhaps Zahid should consider a new approach—one that doesn't hinge on the same tired tactics. Or at the very least, he could try distributing the election candy more evenly throughout the term, rather than saving it for the eleventh hour. But then again, old habits—and voter loyalty gambles—die hard.
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