'Signs of BN revival in Kelantan' : Manik Urai

'VOTE FOR ME': Posters bearing the picture of Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat, Barisan Nasional's candidate for the Manik Urai by-election tomorrow in Kelantan, decorate a stretch of Jalan Kuala Krai - Gua Musang to serve as a reminder to voters who their choice should be. - Picture by AHMAD IRHAM MOHD NOOR

Signs of a Barisan Nasional (BN) revival in Kelantan are in the air with the renewed spirit shown by the people of Manik Urai in the by-election campaign, said Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein. "I met the people of Manik Urai and it is clear that they want to see a BN revival in Kelantan.

"Manik Urai could be the starting point as the people are aware that Pas' narrow views will take them nowhere," he said in a statement yesterday.

Hishammuddin, who is also home minister, said the people of Manik Urai were still lagging behind under Pas' rule.

"They want to lead a better life and have a secure future...We witnessed the people of Manik Urai coming out in droves to meet Umno leaders."

He said BN candidate Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat also understood the pulse of the people.

In Kuala Krai, residents in Manik Urai Lama and Manik Urai Baru have expressed the hope that their new assemblyman -- to be elected tomorrow -- will look into upgrading facilities in the area.

"We have nearly everything... electricity, water supply, roads, schools, clinics, markets, mosques, even a train station but we want them to be upgraded. We hope that the new assemblyman will look into this," said Nik Yaakub Nik Hassan, 65, of Manik Urai Lama.

Among the facilities in need of urgent upgrading, he said, was the Manik Urai Lama market.

Another facility which needed upgrading was a 40-year-old bridge in Manik Urai Lama.

Hassan Salim, who was 9 when the bridge was built, said it was too narrow for two-way traffic.

A resident in Kampung Mesek, Ong Boon Keat, in his 40s, hoped that village roads would be repaired and widened.