ZAID: Sordid tales not a pulling power

This has left controversial speakers like PKR's Datuk Zaid Ibrahim with a lot less pulling power than expected.

Reports on the ground indicated that his rally yesterday was attended by less than 50 people, some of whom were from the media.

Zaid went to this clean campaign armed with sordid tales of murdered Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu.

This is the boiler plate story that the Opposition brings when they want to mount a personal attack against the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The small audience may be due to the strong distaste that local voters have for slime and mudslinging. So what is the Opposition to do when they cannot make the government look bad? The answer lies in the issues.

One of the issues that Pas has been going strongly about is oil royalty, that they claim is being denied them
by the Federal government.

This is probably the most potent issue that they have at the moment and Umno knows this.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters that the national oil company, Petronas, will explain the situation.

He said it would be more believable if Petronas  explained the issue since they deal directly with oil  exploration and the industry.

There are other national issues that can be played but what voters want to hear are solutions to their own problems and the possibility of  development.

After more than two decades in power, Pas has patently failed to deliver better living standards and higher income levels.

Most development projects in the State are carried out by the Federal government. In the past, the people of
Manik Urai may have been contented to vote Pas to "go to heaven", but after four guarantees of spiritual salvation, maybe they are now keen to explore the possibility of enjoying earthly rewards and physical development.

This is where Umno comes in but it is not as easy as promising development since Pas has also been telling
the people that Umno does not keep its promises.

With all these developments, Umno and Barisan Nasional remain cautious with their prospects. The party still considers itself the underdog even if their eyes and ears on the ground  are indicating some small shifts in voter sentiments.

After all, it is always safer to think that you are behind in a race, that way the party machinery will work harder.