IPOH, Nov 15 — Ketereh Umno chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa today dismissed accusations that party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is clearing the runway for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s victory in Tambun following a lacklustre campaigning by Barisan Nasional (BN) here.

Annuar, who was dropped by Ahmad Zahid from contesting the 15th general election, explained that small-scale campaigning happens not only in Tambun but also other constituencies in various states as well.

"The question of funding is not only in Tambun. Umno is no longer a rich party like in those days. So I can understand if some candidates feel they don’t have enough funding for the campaigns.

"But it is not for the reason that Zahid wants an easy path for Anwar to win Tambun. That is an unfair accusation,” he told a press conference after meeting the Tambun election machinery at the division office here.

Despite Tambun being among the hot seats this election since it features heavyweight candidates like PKR president Anwar and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, it appears that BN did not mobilise many of their prominent leaders to support the coalition candidates, who were seen as underdogs, in campaigning.

Annuar said that this is due to the election being a general election.

"Everyone is facing a tough fight in their respective constituency. Even [caretaker] prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yakkob has to spend a lot of time in Bera.

"That is why people like me are helping with the campaign, because I’m not a candidate. So we can’t draw a conclusion saying we are walking away for Anwar to win,” he said.

Noting that BN campaigns have been cold in several places, which he observed on his tour to stump for the coalition candidates, Annuar said that this was also due to the physical campaigning being shifted to social media.

"Candidates are using social media to campaign and posters can be sent via mobile phone, so it’s relevant if we see fewer posters and flags in certain areas. We also have good internet facilities, this all plays a part.

"However, the election process is going smooth. We just hope that there will be no flood during the polling day,” he said.

Tambun will see a four-cornered fight between Anwar, Ahmad Faizal, BN’s Datuk Aminuddin Md Hanafiah, and Gerakan Tanah Air’s Abdul Rahim Tahir.