Mah admits Teluk Intan 'tough', worried over turnout

Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk Mah Siew Keong expressed worry over the way the polls will go, even as some 40% cast their votes in Teluk Intan at noon today.

The Gerakan president said he has noted that the areas where Pakatan Rakyat traditionally had strong support showed a much higher voter turnout compared to areas considered BN strongholds.

In the Chinese-majority Pasir Bedamar constituency, where there were 19 polling stations, have seen a higher turnout, one of stations showed a 50% turnout, which was extraordinarily high, he said.

"But in other places, like the Selabak estate, in the Changkat Jong constituency, there was less than 20% of voters, so there's a disparity," he told the media after his morning rounds in several polling centres.

Asked whether the disparity was worrying, Mah said: "Ya, it's going to be tough.

However, he vowed to accept whatever results voters decide.

Over his prediction on outstation voters, regarded as a crucial to decide the results of this by-election, Mah said it depended on how they voted.

However, he shared that there were those outstation voters who told him they would vote BN.

On the whole, Mah said he was satisfied with the way the voting has not been wrought with any problems or fights, and has been conducted smoothly.

"I don't see dirty tactics being used. I don't see any Bangladeshi around. Nobody stopped (by voters). Yes Last election a lot of people were stopped," he said.

As of 1pm, 27,965 voters have cast their ballots, amounting to 46.6% of voters. Analysts have pinpointed voter turnout as crucial in deciding who will win this contest, though many have given DAP the upper hand.

Mah is in a straight fight against DAP's Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud.

The results of the by-election will be known by tonight.