Malaysia decides, long queues at polling stations

POLLING DAY - LIVE REPORTS

10.30am: Pekan Nenas, Johor - DAP candidate Tan Hon Ping accuses the EC of irregular practices at several polling stations in the state.

For instance, he says a polling clerk at SJK (C)Yun Ming has not stamped the ballot papers  issued to voters, according to observers.

At the polling station in SK Parit Keroma Darat, Muar, the polling clerk is said to have told voters that it is "all right not to stamp" the ballot papers.

At SMK Seri Mersing, a 29-year-old voter has lodged a police report, claiming that his ballot paper was not stamped.

In Mersing, a polling centre has not provided pens or pencils for people to mark their ballot papers.

So they used the indelible ink on their finger to mark the papers.

10.30am: Beruas, Perak - PAS candidate Dr Khairudin Abd Malek is confident that he can capture Pengkalan Baru for Pakatan Rakyat.

He is banking on young Malay voters who have returned to vote, and have been attending the party's ceramahs.

He also claims that PAS has made a big breakthrough in Malay villages in the constituency

"Although we have some problems reaching the older generation, especially women, they only make up a small percentage of voters. So I think we can make it this time around," he adds.

10am: Port Klang, Selangor - According to a Nanyang Siang PauSMS alert, some 500 voters are still waiting in the hot sun to vote.

It attributes the delay to 'improper arrangements' at the polling centre in SJK Pandamaran (B).

9.55am, Selangor: PAS' Kota Raja candidate Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud has visited the polling centre at the Impian Sentosa apartments.

She asks voters queuing under the hot sun to be patient. 

9.45am: Pandan, Selangor - PKR's Pandan candidate Rafizi Ramli has arrived to inspect the voting process, also taking the opportunity to greet voters at SK Pandan Indah. Some have taken photos with him.

"A lot of people are suing you, so how?" one voter asked.

Rafizi curtly replied: "They sue, we fight lah."

He says that his polling agents have reported that the voting has gone on smoothly so far.

"The biggest issue are some reports of the indelible ink being washed off, which has caused some anxiety among voters," he says.

Accompanying Rafizi is his wife Afizsa Ashah, who will be voting at this polling station.

However, Rafizi himself won't be voting today, saying that he won't be able to vote in Kemaman, Terengganu, and then rush back to Pandan.

9.45am: Beruas, Perak - The PAS pondok panas at SK Beruas is within 50m of the polling station, although this is not allowed by the Election Commission.

The booth is in front of a house, opposite the main gate of the school.

However, a EC staff member says he is unable to do anything as the party has claimed that the booth is on private land, within the area of the house.

He says the EC can only consider that the 50m starts from the polling centre up to the main gate of the school.

9.43pm: Penampang, Sabah - Some voters have managed to remove the indelible ink on their fingers using grass.

One voter, Robert, 50, says he tried to remove it out of curiosity.

Malaysiakini saw the ink removed within minutes by rubbing grass on it.

Star Moyog candidate Bernard Lawrence Solibon is also finding that the ink on his fingers has gone off.

"I didn't even put anything on it. The transfer may cause stains on ballot papers and spoil many votes," he says.

9.40am: Seremban, Negri Sembilan - The voting process has been generally smooth up to now.

But DAP election worker Lawrence Fah, located near Sekolah Wawasan in Seremban 2,  complains that the EC had prevented them from helping voters check their names and voting stream.

9.33am: Pekan, Pahang - Star Online reports that BN head Najib Abdul Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor have cast their votes at Sekolah Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah.

In Pagoh, Muhyiddin Yassin cast his vote at SM Sri Muar at about 8:20am, according to Berita Harian.

At Lembah Pantai, Umno Wanita chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil cast her votes at 9.14am, based on her tweet. 

9.30am: Bukit Mertajam, Penang - DAP's Bukit Mertajam candidate Steven Sim Chee Keong complains that Election Commission officers are "barring" people from voting unless they show their slips.

"People are compelled to take the slip before being allowed to vote. I was 'forced' to take the slip as well," he says. 

"Some folks have been turned off by double queueing. I protested to the Returning Officer and he said he has given orders to stop the (compulsory vetting).

"The EC should not deny ppl to vote by creating unnecessary obstacles."

Sim says that, by creating unnecessary obstacles, the EC is denying Malaysians their constitutional rights under Article 119. 

"I urge the people to be patient, do not give up even if forced to queue. 

"In 2010, I was invited to be an international observer to the Philippines general election. The people there queued from morning till evening to cast their votes," he says.

"Malaysians, this is our time. The country needs us. Keep calm, persevere."

9.30am: Segamat, Johor - BN's Segamat incumbent and candidate Dr S Subramaniam declines to speculate on the possibility of losing.

He says he wants to remain positive.

"We have done our work in the parliamentary constituency of Segamat and I believe we still have a chance of winning albeit a small majority," he tells journalists after voting.

"Even though the competition is stiff, we've seen some changes with Indian support returning to BN and Malay support remaining solid. This will allow BN to regain more seats compared to 2008."

9.25am: Gelang Patah, Johor - Before leaving the SJK(C) Pu Sze polling station, the DAP's Lim Kit Siang talks to Johor Bahru Utara district police chief Ruslan Hassan over the arrest of a Chinese youth.

According to Ruslan, the police had detected the youth climbing over the wall and jumping into the polling centre.

"We will investigate why he trespassed when the gate is opened ... I don't think he is a registered voter here. We are still checking."

However, a friend of the youth argues that he did not climb over the wall but had entered through the main gate of the school.

Kit Siang and DAP's Skudai candidate Dr Boo Cheng Hau have spoken briefly with the youth. Boo passes him a name card and asks him to call the number on the card for assistance.

9.20am: Batu Caves, Selangor -: Incumbent PKR candidate Amirudin Shari complains the EC has wrongly printed its ballot papers.

He says that, on April 20, when nominations were filed, he and another Pakatan Rakyat candidate were placed No 1 on the list, while Independent Suman Gopal was at No 2 and the BN candidate Ravisandran Narayan was at No 3.

When Amirudin (left) checked today, his name is listed at No 2 while Ravindran's is placed at No 1. The Independent is at No 3.

'We will lodge an official complaint with the EC as this is against the Election Regulations 1981 Section 11 (2). This is an election irregularity and will result in confusion to the voters, says Amirudin.

9.17am: St Michael's school, Penampang, Sabah - Voters park their cars a kilometre away to get to this polling centre. 

One young man walking next to an elderly woman who has no teeth tells her she need not fear anyone.

"Let people say anything, you just vote for who you want (kau tanda saja X)," he says.

Penampang is being contested by PKR's Ignatius Dorell Leiking, BN's Bernard Dompok and Star's Melanie Annol. 

DAP's Dr Edwin Bosi, who is contesting the state seat here, is greeted by handshakes and hugs by some voters.

9.15am: Selayang, Selangor - BN's Taman Templer state candidate Subahan Kamal has cast his vote at the SK Agama Selayang Baru.

"I feel excited. The voters will determine if I've worked hard enough over the last five years," the incumbent tells reporters.

Some 200 voters waiting in line to vote.

9.15am: Pekan parliamentary candidate Datuk Seri Najib Tun RazakandDatin Seri Rosmah Mansor arrive at Sekolah Sains Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah to cast their ballots.

9.12am: SMK Buloh Kasap, Segamat, Johor - BN's Segamat candidate Dr S Subramaniam arrives with his wife.

Journalists have to rush here after Subramaniam's press team has earlier gave them the wrong polling station in another school.

Subramaniam cast his votes 10 minutes later after briefly greeting other voters who are present.

9am: Permatang Pauh, Penang -
Anwar says he is confident of bringing change to the nation if given the mandate.

He says he is satisfied with the election processs thus far, but that the siuation nationwide will have to be monitored.

Referring to a rumour that Dr Mahathir Mohamad has gone abroad, Anwar says he was told this as well.

"I wish him well (with) whatever medical treatment he is seeking," he says.

Up to last night, Mahathir had been seen campaigning in Kedah.

9am: Permatang Pauh, Penang - Anwar Ibrahim says that, if there is no major fraud or cheating in the election process, both sides should accept the result.

He put his level of confidence at Pakatan winning Putrajaya as "52 percent".

"I'm cautiously optimistic but since Najib had also coined the same term during his interview with Al-Jazerra, I will say we feel comfortable with the situation now."

On alleged vote-buying in Ayer Putih, he says a high turnout would overcome the impact.

"I have met people who received the money but said they will still vote for Pakatan."

Anwar also says Pakatan has a video recording of the last batch of 'phantom' voters who flew from Borneo on a Boeing 747.

8.55am: Gelang Patah, Johor - DAP's Gelang Patah candidate Lim Kit Siang visits SJK(C) Pu Sze at Skudai together with the party's Skudai candidate Dr Boo Cheng Hau.

Many Chinese voters are excited to see him.

"Mr Lim, can I shake your hands?" asks a young female voter.

One voter who does not recognise Lim is introduced to him by Boo.

She appears surprised when photographers surround her. 

This is the first of six polling stations that Lim is due to visit today.

"The response was positive, very encouraging, but this is just the first polling centre," he says when asked about his feeling.

Lim himself is not voting in this general election as he is not registered in the Gelang Patah parliamentary constituency.

Boo Cheng Hau, who is wearing a red shirt, tells reporters that this is his lucky colour for the day.

8.45am: Jerlun, Kedah - Mukhriz Mahathir and his wife arrive at the Siputeh primary school to vote, joining about 806 others.

Met by reporters after voting, he seemed bullish about about his chances of win the Ayer Hitam state seat for BN.

"God willing, every move we make must be confident. But don't overdo it. My confidence stems from my realisation that I must do the best I can to garner God's blessings.

"That is where my confidence comes from. The rest I leave to God," he says.

Asked to comment if reports that he will be named Kedah menteri besar if BN wins the state will backfire on him, Mukhriz says he does not feel the announcement will effect him negatively.

"Indeed, based on feedback, a lot of people have been waiting for the announcement, especially the Chinese community who are overjoyed. Before this, they were doubtful," he says.

8.54am: Muar, Johor - A voter at SJK (C) Nanhua by the name of Lee complains that the Election Commission is not following procedures as those who already know their voting channel are required to line up again in the school field to be vetted again.

He said normally voters would go to their respective channels directly, but the double vetting and the time wasted have frustrated many voters.

 

"We are concerned that some people may not be able to go work later today," he says, urging the EC to follow proper procedures.  

8.44am: Permatang Pauh, Penang - Election Commission (EC) officers tries to eject Agence France-Presse (AFP) chief reporter Goh Chai Hin from Sek Keb Sri Penanti as he does not have the EC’s pink oath slip. However, Goh refuses to leave.

"I have got the media pass from both EC and the Information Ministry. I was never told about this,” he says.

Incumbent MP Anwar Ibrahim arrives with his wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, to vote.

Dressed in a white shirt and wearing a songkok, he says Pakatan is optimistic that it will capture Putrajaya.

He expresses his disgust at the open attempts to buy votes in Penang. "It is sickening," he decries.

8.24am: SK Beruas, Beruas, Perak - More than 50 voters are queuing at different classrooms to cast their votes.

Chow Kok June, who works for a multinational company in Singapore, says he has just cast his first vote at Malaysia’s election. Speaking to Malaysiakini, the 28-year-old says he takes pride in fulfilling his responsibility as a citizen.

“I hope there will be some changes,” he says, adding that he will be going back to Singapore tomorrow.

Yiew Sin Keat, 27, is so excited to cast her first vote that she got up early this morning.

“The country needs to change,” she beams. She will be driving back to Kuala Lumpur, where she works, soon to avoid the expected traffic jam along the highway.

Both are voting in the Beruas parliamentary seat and Pengkalan Baru state seat.

Beruas sees a straight fight between Chang Ko Youn (BN) and Ngeh Koo Ham (DAP), while Pengkalan Baru is a three-way battle among Abd Manaf Hashim (BN), Khairuddin Abd Malik (PAS) and Ahmad Nizam Ibrahim (Independent).

8.15am: Seri Delima, Penang: As early as 7.30am, 100 people have gathered at the Chung Hwa voting centre to cast their votes. Old age and disability fail to keep people away from doing their national duty.

DAP secretary-general and caretaker Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng arrives with his wife Betty Chew and his mother, Neo Yok Tee, 73.

Chew wears a white cap to cover her bald head, which she shaved on Friday to protest against vote-buying. Lim looks rather exhausted, probably due to the intense 15-day campaign.

8:06am - Subang Jaya, Selangor: The line at Sek Men USJ12 is about one kilometre long as the gate opens.

About 3,000 voters came early to vote.Malaysiakini sub-editor G Umakanthan says he has never seen such a huge number of people coming out to vote this early.

The state seat falls under the Kelana Jaya parliament seat.

8.05am - Lembah Pantai: Long queues are reported at polling stations in this Kuala Lumpur constituency, which sees PKR's Nurul Izzah Anwar defending her seat against a strong challenge from Umno's Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin. 

According to a voter, it may take about one hour to vote.

8.03am - SK Pandan Indah, Pandan, Selangor: About 300 people are queuing up at this polling station to cast their vote.

"I want to do my civic duty," said Tan Sew Chai (right), who is first in the queue.

The 47-year-old delivery truck driver says he has waited since 6.30am.

8.01am - SK Buloh Kasap, Segamat: Some 40 voters, who had been waiting outside the school as early as 7.30am, are allowed into the polling station.

BN's Segamat candidate S Subramaniam, who is also caretaker human resource minister, is expected to vote here later after completing his morning prayers at Sri Thandayuthabaani temple.

His rival PKR's Chua Jui Meng, who was fielded in Segamat at the eleventh hour, was not able to change his address and will not be voting in this constituency.

8am - Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Meteorological Department has forecast that there will be no rain in the morning today in most states while some will have overcast skies.
    
The states are Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Malacca and the Federal Territories.
    
However, there will be rain in the morning in some areas in Perak, Pahang, Sabah and Sarawak.
    
"This weather forecast is only a guideline for voters. They are encouraged to come out early to vote as some areas will experience rain and thunderstorm in the evening," said the department.

8am - Kuala Lumpur: The skies are forecast to be clear across Malaysia this morning, as the country heads to the polls for the 13th time to elect a new government.

The 15-day campaign period ended midnight yesterday, and today will see Malaysian voters make their mark, both on their ballots as well as the annals of history, in what is seen to be Malaysia's most closely fought and hotly contested general election, as BN struggles to hold on to power with Pakatan Rakyat snapping at its heels.

Some have dubbed this, "The mother of all electoral battles".

A total of 222 parliamentary seats and 505 state assembly seats are on the block, most in straight fights between the two major coalitions, though 270 independents, the largest ever in history, are also looking to make their mark.

However, Sarawak's 71-seat state assembly will not be holding its polls as it has already done so in 2011.

The atmosphere this morning is electric as supporters decked out in party colours throng the streets for a last-minute show of strength as voters trek to the polling stations on this day of days.

7.45am: Kuala Lumpur - Polls will open at 8am today as Malaysia decides between BN and Pakatan Rakyat on which coalition will rule the country for the next five years.

Voters are urged to vote early as showers and thunderstorms are expected in many parts of the country in the afternoon. Polling will end at 5pm and the counting of votes will begin soon after. Results will start coming in at around 8pm. 

There are 222 parliamentary seats up for grabs, with the ruling BN currently holding 135 seats, Pakatan Rakyat, 75, and the other 12 going to independents and three other parties. Whichever coalition that wins 112 seats will claim power.

Meanwhile, Pakatan controls four states - Selangor, Penang, Kelantan and Kedah, while BN has nine under its belt.

This election will see a huge number of new voters - an increase of three million, or about 25 percent, since the 2008 GE, making it the biggest spike in Malaysia’s history.