The tranquil village of Sungai Limau in Kedah will today see thousands of supporters from BN and PAS gathering early this morning at the Dewan Tok Madi in Yan for the official kick-off of a by-election campaign.
A line-up of top guns from both BN and PAS are expected to accompany their respective candidates to the nomination centre to submit their forms.
If there are no surprises and no independent candidates, PAS' Mohd Azam Samat , 37, a local boy with ulama ties, will face BN's Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim, 52, a former university lecturer, in a straight fight for the seat.
Since Monday, both sides are raring to go into battle for the rural state seat, where campaigning would last 12 days. Polling day is on Nov 4.
Sungai Limau, which is part of parliamentary constituency of Jerai, fell vacant following the death of former Kedah menteri besar Azizan Abdul Razak on Sept 26.
Azizan, the former PAS Kedah commissioner, had held the seat for five terms, since 1995.
A line-up of top guns from both BN and PAS are expected to accompany their respective candidates to the nomination centre to submit their forms.If there are no surprises and no independent candidates, PAS' Mohd Azam Samat , 37, a local boy with ulama ties, will face BN's Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim, 52, a former university lecturer, in a straight fight for the seat.
Since Monday, both sides are raring to go into battle for the rural state seat, where campaigning would last 12 days. Polling day is on Nov 4.
Sungai Limau, which is part of parliamentary constituency of Jerai, fell vacant following the death of former Kedah menteri besar Azizan Abdul Razak on Sept 26.
Azizan, the former PAS Kedah commissioner, had held the seat for five terms, since 1995.
On May 5, he beat his cousin, Fazillah Mohd Ali from BN by a majority of 2,774.
Azizan won 13,294 against BN's 10,520 votes, while two independents garnered 100 and 84 votes respectively. However, Kedah fell to BN after five years of PAS rule.
Nominations are expected to end at 10am, after which campaigning for the by-election will begin.
LIVE REPORTS
8am: Traffic heading up to the nomination centre at Dewan Datuk Madi, Yan, is smooth, thanks to the aid of police.
Already stalls selling drinks and snacks have been set up on either side of the road just several metres away from the centre, giving the area a morning market feel.
8.20am: PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang accompanies PAS’ candidate Mohd Azam Abdul Samat to the nomination centre, surrounded by excited supporters.
The duo, together with their entourage, walk at a fast pace towards the centre, while being guarded by PAS’ Unit Amal and while chanting prayers of praise for the Prophet Muhammad.
8.30am:Hundreds of PAS supporters who joined the procession, alongside top Pakatan leaders and candidate Mohd Azam are asked to move towards Pantai Murni, away from the nomination centre, as the BN entourage would soon be coming this way.
This does not go down well with the supporters as everyone wants to catch a glimpse of the action at the front gates of the centre. They shout “Takbir” and “Allah hu akbar” as they are pushed back and told to remain 100 metres away from the centre.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, PKR vice-president Tian Chua and PAS election director Mahfuz Omar pass through the gates of the nomination centre with Mohd Azam.
8.45am: In a sea of green, gathered PAS supporters can be heard singing religious songs and shouting slogans of "Hancur BN", "Tumbang Penipu, bangun rakyat!" (Down with liers, rise people) and "Bangun Islam" (Rise Islam) and "Menang Pakatan, Menang PAS" (Pakatan wins, PAS wins).
Supporters are also heard telling each other "let the Muslimats(women) walk first" as women in their green baju kurungs and tudungs follow the parade, carrying the party's green flags and singing nasyid songs.
When asked about the party's chances of retaining the seat, the supporters only say "Insyaallah".
Meanwhile BN supporters, led by Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin, arrive. Thedy sing the party song loudly as they come marching in, with some yelling out "Hidup BN" (Long live BN).
Umno heavyweights spotted among the crowd include newly reinstated vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin. They are holding the hands of candidate Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim, who is clad in a maroon shirt.
9am: As Mohd Azam files his nomination forms, his supporters are having a field day on their side of the fence as they wait for Azam's nomination papers to be approved by the Election Commission.
Umi Haida Mahmood, in her 50s, said she had gathered along with her friends from Pendang by 7am to make they way to the centre.
"Our hearts are beating, waiting for our victory," she told Malaysiakini.
Youth supporter Fitri Badaruddin, 22, from Bukit Chora, is seen carrying a poster about the 20 sen price hike in petrol.
"Terima kasih kepada BN! (Thansk to BN," he shouts, referring to the federal government’s unpopular decision to raising petrol prices nationwide after the May 5 general election.
DAP supporters from Penang are seen joining their PAS counterparts too, telling Malaysiakini they are anticipating the arrival of Penang Chief Minister and party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.
Meanwhile on BN’s side, it only takes minutes for supporters to settle down as the 500-strong crowd is overshadowed by the larger number of supporters on PAS’ camp.
Their candidate Ahmad Sohaimi enters the hall to submit his papers.
9.05am: Police begin setting up metal barriers in front of the BN supporters are the nomination process is about to begin.
9.15am: Outside the nomination centre, Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir tells reporters that BN is hopeful that a wind of change will sweep across voters soon and so is optimistic it will win in wresting the Sungai Limau seat away from PAS.
Umno Youth chief Khairy vowed to bring in more job opportunities for youths at Sungai Limau.
“I agree with the MB that this place must be developed. I ask the youths here, give BN a chance to represent the people here as we want the people here to be in line with the state government.”
Meanwhile at Pakatan Rakyat's camp, as police personnel guard PAS supporters strictly, the party's own Unit Amal form a chain in front of their supporters, with some seen wearing masks possibly in anticipation of tear gas, as everyone starts praying.
Suddenly, voices are raised as three Umno female supporters make their way through the PAS crowd.
A supporter, an elderly man, says, "Kesian, they are sesat (lost) and is here among the green flags", as everyone breaks into laughter.
The trio, regardless of the teasing, are unfazed and walk proudly through the crowd to the BN side, about 100 metres away.
Meanwhile, DAP’s Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai finally makes it to the nomination centre. He says he reports he was caught in traffic despite leaving Alor Setar before 7am.
"We are going to win. Azizan was very popular here. Although we lost the state government, people here see the need for check and balance," he told Malaysiakini.
Kedah deputy youth chief Lim Zi Yang too is optimistic PAS can retain the seat as Chinese voters here are not very happy that Mukhriz has been playing up racial issues using Chinese schools.
9.25am: Outside the nomination centre, the situation turns cheery, like a kenduri, as Pakatan leaders visits BN leaders’ tent situated some 30 metres away.
PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali are seen chatting with Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and two Umno veeps Hishammuddin Hussein and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, with the Pakatan duo even congratulating the latter two on retaining their vice-president posts in the recent party polls.
Azmin also meets with Kedah MB Mukhriz Mahathir, and took the opportunity to have a dig at him, teasing him over his failed Umno vice-presidency bid despite garnering more popular votes than Hishammuddin.
"Before this, we ask to use popular votes (to decide election winner), (BN) did not want. Now, regret,” Azmin says while patting Mukhriz on the shoulder. The latter, however, took the jest in good humour, and merely laughed in response.
9.40am: BN vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal urges Sungai Limau voters to think about their future seriously, especially on the poor development of the constituency in the more than 23 years the state seat has been held by PAS.
"I know many of them (voters) are PAS members, but this doesn't mean that they can't vote for BN," he tells the press.
He stresses the importance of having a BN state assemblyperson for smoother coordination with the Kedah state government as well as the federal government to ensure progressive development at Sungai Limau.
Meanwhile, hundreds of BN supporters, including members from Umno Wanita, MCA and Gerakan, are seen holding BN flags, banners and placards bearing the words "Undi untuk transformasi" (Vote for transformation) outside the nomination centre.
9.53am: Election Commission (EC) officer Abdul Rashid Othman announces that the nomination process has ended, although it is still 7 minutes shy of the 10am cut off mark.
There is no sign of any independent candidates, which could throw a spanner into the BN-Pakatan face off that is largely expected.
10am: Former DAP Kota Darulaman assemblyperson Lee Guan Aik puts aside his differences with the party's central leadership and shows up among PAS supporters.
He said he would be going house to house to campaign for PAS even though his party leaders have not invited him to do so.
"Azizan's death is a lost to the Chinese community as he did a lot for them during his tenure. He was a friend to us and several Chinese associations," he said.
"Even though Ustaz Azam is a new face, I believe the Chinese will keep their support behind him".
10.15am:Nomination is officially closed. It is a straight fight between PAS candidate Mohd Azam Abd Samat and Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim of BN for the Sungai Limau state seat.
Abdul Rashid announces that Ahmad Sohaimi is the first candidate as he submitted his nomination papers at 9.04am, followed by Mohd Azam at 9.05am.
10.20am: At the gates of the nomination centre, PAS candidate Mohd Azam thanks party supporters, and urges the state government not to sideline the people of Sungai Limau when developing Kedah.
“We hope that those responsible will strive even though we are situated out of town, and that we are not discriminated against, when it comes to getting free WiFi,” he said.
He ends by giving a special mention to his mother, who he says gave her blessing for him to contest in this by-election.
10.30am: PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang expresses his confidence that PAS will retain the seat, based on the party’s record in the area.
“If in the general election we can win, insya-Allah, in this election we can win also, he tells reporters when met at the candidate’s tent at the nomination centre.
10.40am: At the gates of the nomination centre, PAS candidate Mohd Azam thanks party supporters, giving a special mention to his mother, who he says gave her blessing for hom to contest in this by-election.
10.45am: Following the end of the nomination process, Muhyiddin holds a press conference where he admits this coming by-election will be a tough fight for BN as Sungai Limau is PAS’ stronghold.
"Our chances (of winning) is not as good as PAS," he says.
He says that although a straight fight benefits BN, the challenges it will face in trying to wrest the seat away from the Islamic party are great still.
"BN lost the seat with 2,774 majority votes, but this doesn't mean that we are unable to win (the seat) back," he stresses.
Muhyiddin adds that issues such as cost of living, goods and services tax (GST) and the coming budget will be raised by Pakatan Rakyat to mislead the voters, but he promises that BN will address each claim and explain the matter one by one during the campaign period.
To this, he urges opposition leaders not to accuse BN and provoke the voters.
"We want a mindful and peaceful campaign, so we don't embrace an aggressive approach," he states.
11.00am: It begins to drizzle and so the crowd starts to disperse. The few journalists left behind start filing their stories. The internet line has been slow, frustrating the media fraternity.
While BN leaders and its supporters have left the scene, PAS leaders and their supporters remain as the leaders, including Mohd Azam, conduct a mini-ceramah.
This lasted 20 minutes, before the leaders leave by lorry, chanting on top the vehicle and waving to the crowd, while the supporters trail behind on foot.
Azizan won 13,294 against BN's 10,520 votes, while two independents garnered 100 and 84 votes respectively. However, Kedah fell to BN after five years of PAS rule.
Nominations are expected to end at 10am, after which campaigning for the by-election will begin.
LIVE REPORTS
8am: Traffic heading up to the nomination centre at Dewan Datuk Madi, Yan, is smooth, thanks to the aid of police.Already stalls selling drinks and snacks have been set up on either side of the road just several metres away from the centre, giving the area a morning market feel.
8.20am: PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang accompanies PAS’ candidate Mohd Azam Abdul Samat to the nomination centre, surrounded by excited supporters.
The duo, together with their entourage, walk at a fast pace towards the centre, while being guarded by PAS’ Unit Amal and while chanting prayers of praise for the Prophet Muhammad.
8.30am:Hundreds of PAS supporters who joined the procession, alongside top Pakatan leaders and candidate Mohd Azam are asked to move towards Pantai Murni, away from the nomination centre, as the BN entourage would soon be coming this way.This does not go down well with the supporters as everyone wants to catch a glimpse of the action at the front gates of the centre. They shout “Takbir” and “Allah hu akbar” as they are pushed back and told to remain 100 metres away from the centre.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, PKR vice-president Tian Chua and PAS election director Mahfuz Omar pass through the gates of the nomination centre with Mohd Azam.
8.45am: In a sea of green, gathered PAS supporters can be heard singing religious songs and shouting slogans of "Hancur BN", "Tumbang Penipu, bangun rakyat!" (Down with liers, rise people) and "Bangun Islam" (Rise Islam) and "Menang Pakatan, Menang PAS" (Pakatan wins, PAS wins).Supporters are also heard telling each other "let the Muslimats(women) walk first" as women in their green baju kurungs and tudungs follow the parade, carrying the party's green flags and singing nasyid songs.
When asked about the party's chances of retaining the seat, the supporters only say "Insyaallah".
Meanwhile BN supporters, led by Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin, arrive. Thedy sing the party song loudly as they come marching in, with some yelling out "Hidup BN" (Long live BN).Umno heavyweights spotted among the crowd include newly reinstated vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin. They are holding the hands of candidate Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim, who is clad in a maroon shirt.
9am: As Mohd Azam files his nomination forms, his supporters are having a field day on their side of the fence as they wait for Azam's nomination papers to be approved by the Election Commission.
Umi Haida Mahmood, in her 50s, said she had gathered along with her friends from Pendang by 7am to make they way to the centre.
"Our hearts are beating, waiting for our victory," she told Malaysiakini.Youth supporter Fitri Badaruddin, 22, from Bukit Chora, is seen carrying a poster about the 20 sen price hike in petrol.
"Terima kasih kepada BN! (Thansk to BN," he shouts, referring to the federal government’s unpopular decision to raising petrol prices nationwide after the May 5 general election.
DAP supporters from Penang are seen joining their PAS counterparts too, telling Malaysiakini they are anticipating the arrival of Penang Chief Minister and party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.
Meanwhile on BN’s side, it only takes minutes for supporters to settle down as the 500-strong crowd is overshadowed by the larger number of supporters on PAS’ camp.
Their candidate Ahmad Sohaimi enters the hall to submit his papers.
9.05am: Police begin setting up metal barriers in front of the BN supporters are the nomination process is about to begin.
9.15am: Outside the nomination centre, Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir tells reporters that BN is hopeful that a wind of change will sweep across voters soon and so is optimistic it will win in wresting the Sungai Limau seat away from PAS.
Umno Youth chief Khairy vowed to bring in more job opportunities for youths at Sungai Limau.
“I agree with the MB that this place must be developed. I ask the youths here, give BN a chance to represent the people here as we want the people here to be in line with the state government.”
Meanwhile at Pakatan Rakyat's camp, as police personnel guard PAS supporters strictly, the party's own Unit Amal form a chain in front of their supporters, with some seen wearing masks possibly in anticipation of tear gas, as everyone starts praying.Suddenly, voices are raised as three Umno female supporters make their way through the PAS crowd.
A supporter, an elderly man, says, "Kesian, they are sesat (lost) and is here among the green flags", as everyone breaks into laughter.
The trio, regardless of the teasing, are unfazed and walk proudly through the crowd to the BN side, about 100 metres away.
Meanwhile, DAP’s Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai finally makes it to the nomination centre. He says he reports he was caught in traffic despite leaving Alor Setar before 7am.
"We are going to win. Azizan was very popular here. Although we lost the state government, people here see the need for check and balance," he told Malaysiakini.
Kedah deputy youth chief Lim Zi Yang too is optimistic PAS can retain the seat as Chinese voters here are not very happy that Mukhriz has been playing up racial issues using Chinese schools.
9.25am: Outside the nomination centre, the situation turns cheery, like a kenduri, as Pakatan leaders visits BN leaders’ tent situated some 30 metres away.
PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali are seen chatting with Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and two Umno veeps Hishammuddin Hussein and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, with the Pakatan duo even congratulating the latter two on retaining their vice-president posts in the recent party polls.Azmin also meets with Kedah MB Mukhriz Mahathir, and took the opportunity to have a dig at him, teasing him over his failed Umno vice-presidency bid despite garnering more popular votes than Hishammuddin.
"Before this, we ask to use popular votes (to decide election winner), (BN) did not want. Now, regret,” Azmin says while patting Mukhriz on the shoulder. The latter, however, took the jest in good humour, and merely laughed in response.
9.40am: BN vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal urges Sungai Limau voters to think about their future seriously, especially on the poor development of the constituency in the more than 23 years the state seat has been held by PAS.
"I know many of them (voters) are PAS members, but this doesn't mean that they can't vote for BN," he tells the press.
He stresses the importance of having a BN state assemblyperson for smoother coordination with the Kedah state government as well as the federal government to ensure progressive development at Sungai Limau.Meanwhile, hundreds of BN supporters, including members from Umno Wanita, MCA and Gerakan, are seen holding BN flags, banners and placards bearing the words "Undi untuk transformasi" (Vote for transformation) outside the nomination centre.
9.53am: Election Commission (EC) officer Abdul Rashid Othman announces that the nomination process has ended, although it is still 7 minutes shy of the 10am cut off mark.
There is no sign of any independent candidates, which could throw a spanner into the BN-Pakatan face off that is largely expected.
10am: Former DAP Kota Darulaman assemblyperson Lee Guan Aik puts aside his differences with the party's central leadership and shows up among PAS supporters.
He said he would be going house to house to campaign for PAS even though his party leaders have not invited him to do so.
"Azizan's death is a lost to the Chinese community as he did a lot for them during his tenure. He was a friend to us and several Chinese associations," he said.
"Even though Ustaz Azam is a new face, I believe the Chinese will keep their support behind him".
10.15am:Nomination is officially closed. It is a straight fight between PAS candidate Mohd Azam Abd Samat and Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim of BN for the Sungai Limau state seat. Abdul Rashid announces that Ahmad Sohaimi is the first candidate as he submitted his nomination papers at 9.04am, followed by Mohd Azam at 9.05am.
10.20am: At the gates of the nomination centre, PAS candidate Mohd Azam thanks party supporters, and urges the state government not to sideline the people of Sungai Limau when developing Kedah.
“We hope that those responsible will strive even though we are situated out of town, and that we are not discriminated against, when it comes to getting free WiFi,” he said.
He ends by giving a special mention to his mother, who he says gave her blessing for him to contest in this by-election.
10.30am: PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang expresses his confidence that PAS will retain the seat, based on the party’s record in the area.
“If in the general election we can win, insya-Allah, in this election we can win also, he tells reporters when met at the candidate’s tent at the nomination centre.
10.40am: At the gates of the nomination centre, PAS candidate Mohd Azam thanks party supporters, giving a special mention to his mother, who he says gave her blessing for hom to contest in this by-election.
10.45am: Following the end of the nomination process, Muhyiddin holds a press conference where he admits this coming by-election will be a tough fight for BN as Sungai Limau is PAS’ stronghold.
"Our chances (of winning) is not as good as PAS," he says.
He says that although a straight fight benefits BN, the challenges it will face in trying to wrest the seat away from the Islamic party are great still."BN lost the seat with 2,774 majority votes, but this doesn't mean that we are unable to win (the seat) back," he stresses.
Muhyiddin adds that issues such as cost of living, goods and services tax (GST) and the coming budget will be raised by Pakatan Rakyat to mislead the voters, but he promises that BN will address each claim and explain the matter one by one during the campaign period.
To this, he urges opposition leaders not to accuse BN and provoke the voters.
"We want a mindful and peaceful campaign, so we don't embrace an aggressive approach," he states.
11.00am: It begins to drizzle and so the crowd starts to disperse. The few journalists left behind start filing their stories. The internet line has been slow, frustrating the media fraternity.
While BN leaders and its supporters have left the scene, PAS leaders and their supporters remain as the leaders, including Mohd Azam, conduct a mini-ceramah. This lasted 20 minutes, before the leaders leave by lorry, chanting on top the vehicle and waving to the crowd, while the supporters trail behind on foot.
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