Uproar at Harapan fundraiser over bid for Dr M's watch

A Pakatan Harapan fundraiser in Pasir Gudang briefly descended into pandemonium after an auction for a watch worn by coalition chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad went awry.

There was a buzz of anticipation among the 700-strong crowd when Mahathir removed the ruby red G-Shock watch bearing his signature from his wrist at the end of his speech, joking now he now "doesn't have time".

He then set the starting bid at RM1,000 after which the master of ceremonies took over.

But as soon as the auction began, the master of ceremonies was pulled to the side as eager buyers raised their hands high to make a bid.

Then a minute later, without taking any bids, he abruptly announced that the watch had been sold to Johor Harapan Youth causing an uproar among the crowd.

"Mana boleh!" (This can't be!) and "Bid, bid!" they shouted, among others.

Johor Bersatu Youth chief Haszarul Abu Samah then took to the stage to smooth things over.

"This watch was gifted by Tun (Mahathir) to us for a Harapan Youth fundraiser in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

"So if you want this watch, come then," Haszarul said, before leaving with the watch.

The crowd remained unhappy, but the jeers and shouts stopped soon after.

"Jangan baling saya, jangan baling saya (don't toss me out)," the master of ceremonies quipped while calming the crowd down. - Mkini