Free uniforms and bags for students in constituency

(Bernama) KUALA KRAI: The Education Ministry is providing free school uniforms and bags to 6,142 primary, secondary and religious school students in Manek Urai.

Kelantan Umno liaison chief Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said he was informed of the aid allocation for the students by Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin several days ago.

“This gesture by the ministry is to lighten the burden of the people here,” he told a news conference at the Manek Urai Barisan Nasional operations centre yesterday.

While 300 students received the free school uniforms and bags yesterday, Mustapa said the rest would be handed out in stages.

He had earlier presented the uniforms and bags to the pupils of Sekolah Kebangsaan Manek Urai Baru on behalf of Muhyiddin.

There are 10 primary and 12 secondary schools as well as an Arabic-medium school in the town.

Meanwhile, Mustapa has urged employers in the public and private sectors to allow their employees to return home to vote on July 14.

“Do not deny them their rights as voters; it is an offence,” he said in reference to the statement by Kelantan PAS elections director Abdul Fatah Harun yesterday about receiving reports of some employers not allowing their workers to return to Manek Urai to cast their vote.

Today, Muhyiddin is expected to lead a procession of more than 10,000 Barisan supporters to the nomination centre at Sekolah Menengah Sultan Yahya Petra 1.

Barisan has named Kuala Krai Umno Youth head Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat, 39, as its candidate while PAS will field its Kuala Krai division treasurer Fauzi Abdullah, 50, to defend the seat.

The by-election is being held following the death of assemblyman Ismail Yaakob on May 22 from a heart attack.

In the last general election, Ismail defeated Barisan candidate Mohamed Zulkepli Omar by a 1,352-vote majority.