Does BN’s P Kamalanathan have what it takes to be the member of parliament of Hulu Selangor and to tackle national issues in the law-making body?

NONE The MIC information chief and the public relations manager of a company fielded questions from the media late last night on an array of issues.

These ranged from socio-economic needs in Hulu Selangor - and why these have still not been met - to campaign tactics by BN and Pakatan Rakyat.

How did he fare? Excerpts follow, with the content edited for language and clarity.

What do you think is most needed by people in Hulu Selangor?

P Kamalanathan:

(They need) development, basic facilities such as decent housing, proper clothing, enough food on the table, education, health and so on.

These are very basic needs. Why (haven’t such) conditions (changed) after so many years?

I can answer questions on what I can do, what I want to do, what I have heard. I will not be able to answer questions (as to) why, in the past, (certain things) happened and (other things) did not happen. I only can tell you what I want to do.

What they need, (that is) the first step. The second step is, they want development.

NONE Anwar Ibrahim (right) has said Umno wanted a lemah (weak) candidate, that’s why they chose you. What’s your comment?

If I'm a lemah candidate, then Anwar Ibrahim should not be in Hulu Selangor campaigning for (PKR candidate) Zaid Ibrahim. (The response was met with applause from many reporters.)

While you are campaigning for yourself, the BN coalition is also campaigning for you. It seems like BN is raising a lot of morality and personal issues about your opponent. Do you agree with such an approach?

I don't want to talk on other people’s behalf. I talk about my strategy. I talk on the work I want to do... in the future for these people.

So whatever approach they use doesn't matter?

I don't know. You tell me. They haven't told me anything, so I cannot go and reprimand people, because I don't know what is happening.

But don't you know what issues they have been discussing  over the past few days?

Look, I don't want to worry about that. I've got to meet 60,000 people within seven days. That is my biggest task and the most important task. It’s not easy, my dear friend. Let me concentrate on that.

Let the party people do what they think (should be done). Whatever the party members do, they want Barisan Nasional to win. I'm concentrating on meeting 60,000 thousand people. That's about it. Any other questions, gentlemen and ladies?

You've been talking about local issues. But if you are elected, you will be a member of parliament. You will be debating and passing laws. Are you prepared to address national issues and laws?

I have to learn. I've only learned this much, my dear friend (holds up his fist) . Whatever I’ve learned is only this amount, okay? And I'll share my knowledge, I'll learn from others and make it better.

When the press conference ended, Malaysiakini asked if he would agree to an interview to express his views on current and national issues.

“Later. Let me become MP first,” he said with a smile.