Saturday, July 29, 2023

Don’t touch 3R, Fahmi reminds all parties

 


It's nomination day for the six state elections.

There are 245 seats up for grabs as the Pakatan Harapan-BN pact takes on Perikatan Nasional.

We will bring you reports from the ground from time to time.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Family split between Harapan and PN

  • Treat rivals as friends, PAS man tells PN supporters

  • Sanusi arrives late but in style

  • Gerakan’s Lau and opponent register successfully


Two-cornered fight in Jeneri and Belantek

10:29am: Sik, Kedah: It’s official, there will be a two-cornered fight in Jeneri and Belantek state constituencies.

Incumbent Jeneri assemblyperson Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor will go up against the Umno Sik division chief.

Loud chants can be heard from each coalition’s supporters as returning officer Mohamad Hilmi Marzuki announces the candidates.

Amanah’s Maizi Saipi will contest against PAS’ Ahmad Sulaiman.

MCA member contesting as independent

10.30am: Puchong, Selangor - An MCA member is contesting in Seri Kembangan as an independent.

The Star reports that Wong Jung Lik is a member of the local MCA branch's public complaints bureau.

"I feel this is something that I have to do as I feel the voice of the people is not represented," he says.

He will be going up against DAP's Wong Siew Ki and Bersatu's Liau Wei Jian.

The Star also reports that there are independents running in Sungai Pelek (Nageswaran Ravi) and Paya Jaras (Nurhaslinda Basri).


Don’t touch 3R, Fahmi reminds all parties

10.20 am: Gombak, Selangor - Communication and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil calls for a harmonious and peaceful campaign.

He urges all quarters not to touch on issues related to the 3R (race, religion and royalty), saying the authorities will be monitoring the campaign, including on social media.

The minister also encourages the media to organise debates to serve as a campaign medium for candidates.

Communication and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil

Shouting match between rival supporters

10.05am: Gurun, Kedah - PN supporters are seen provoking supporters from Harapan and BN, mocking them with chants of “Hoi hoi ya hoi” from Altimet’s song Aduh Malaysia.

The song is synonymous with Anwar Ibrahim, as the prime minister used it throughout his campaign during GE15.

This riles up Harapan-BN fans, and results in an inaudible shouting match between both groups.

Officials from the Election Commission warn the supporters not to provoke each other.

“War cries are allowed, but please keep calm. Don’t provoke each other.”


From football to politics

9.45am: Gurun, Kedah - It has gone quiet on PN’s side, only echoes of “yasin” recital are heard from a corner of the nomination centre at Dewan Lestari Guar Chempedak.

Jerai MP Ustaz Sabri Azit joins some 300 supporters from the opposition coalition to pray for candidate Baddrol Bakhtiar’s victory.

They end the prayers with chants of “takbir” followed by “Allahuakbar”.

Baddrol, 35, is set to be the first "active" footballer to move from the Super League into the political arena.


Supporters perform prayers using PN flags

9.40am: Gombak, Selangor - PN supporters perform “solat hajat” on a field outside the nomination centre - using the coalition’s flags in lieu of prayer mats.

They are praying for political victory.

Earlier, the group recited the “salawat” (salutations for the Prophet Muhammad).


Family split between Harapan and PN

9.35am: Gombak, Selangor - Another family of voters in Gombak Setia is split between Harapan and PN.

Asked why they're supporting different parties, the family matriarch responds: "Despite being a family, we still differ in ideology".

"At the end of the day, we just want to vote whoever we think can improve things in our country," she adds.


Treat rivals as friends, PAS man tells PN supporters

9.15am: Hulu Selangor - PN supporters for the Hulu Bernam, Kuala Kubu Bharu and Batang Kali seats listen attentively as local party leaders give speeches one after another to motivate them into working towards ensuring their victory in the state election.

One of the leaders is Hulu Selangor PAS Youth chief Mohd Zulwafi Bahaudin, who tells the PN supporters to not see their rivals from Harapan and BN as enemies.

Instead, he says, they should treat the rivals as friends and invite them to support PN in this state election.

"We invite them to support PN this time, so we can show another wave in this Selangor state election," he says, to loud cheers of some 100 supporters present.


Sanusi the last candidate to arrive

9.10am: Sik, Kedah - Caretaker Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor is the last candidate to arrive at the Sik Land and District Office.

PN supporters chant “Allahuakbar” as the Jeneri incumbent raises his hand to the press - similar to the iconic pose made by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during the reformasi movement.

Sanusi remains cheerful throughout his walk to the nomination centre.


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Shouting match in Sekinchan

9.08am: Sekinchan, Selangor - Both candidates for Sekinchan enter the nomination centre. Supporters from the two camps who are gathered outside engage in a shouting match.


Suee Lim, PN rival arrives in Sekinchan

9.01am: Sekinchan, Selangor - Harapan candidate Ng Suee Lim and PN candidate Goh Gaik Meng both arrive at the nomination station.

Supporters from both sides loudly chant their respective slogans.


PN supporters in Hulu S’gor

9.02am: Hulu Selangor, Selangor - Perikatan Nasional supporters chant “Allahuakbar” near the Hulu Selangor Sports Complex as their candidates Mu’izzuddeen Mahyuddin (Hulu Bernam), Teoh Kien Hong (Kuala Kubu Bharu) and Muhammad Muhaimin Harith (Batang Kali) walk towards the nomination centre.


More arrive in Bayan Lepas

9.00am: Bayan Lepas, Penang - More and more BN supporters come to show support for incumbent Bayan Lepas assemblyperson Azrul Mahathir Aziz from Amanah at the nomination centre.

They wear BN blue shirts and wave the red Harapan flags.

Both Lau and incumbent Bayan Lepas assemblyperson Azrul Mahathir Aziz from Amanah finish registering themselves as candidates.


First independent candidate appears

9am: Pasir Mas, Kelantan - An independent candidate is throwing his hat in the ring for the Tendong seat.

Suzainal Adnan Sukri is backed by actor Fauzi Nawawi and a small group of supporters.

Fauzi tells the media that Suzainal is his friend and that he is there to show support.

Suzainal plans to contest using the tree logo.


Nominations now open

9am: Sik, Kedah - As the election commission announces that nominations are now open for an hour, BN-Harapan candidates Khizri (Jeneri) and Maizi (Belantek) make their way into the centre.

Earlier, PN’s Belantek candidate Ahmad Sulaiman arrives with a crowd of 1,000 supporters.

Sanusi, who is the incumbent Jeneri assemblyperson has yet to arrive.


Feels weird working with BN, says DAP member

8:50am: Sungai Panjang, Selangor - Most of the supporters are seen wearing blue BN T-shirts provided by the organiser while some are in Harapan’s red T-shirts.

A Sungai Besar DAP veteran member, only known as Chia, lamented that he feels "weird" wearing the BN T-shirt.

He says it feels awkward when he greets Umno members who used to be on the opposite side.

"When we met (Sungai Besar Umno chief) Jamal Yunus last night, he tapped my shoulder and said, 'We used to fight, but now we are brothers (abang adik)'."


Harapan, BN supporters gather in Hulu Selangor

8.45am: Hulu Selangor, Selangor - Some 100 Harapan and BN supporters carrying red and blue party flags rally near the nomination centre for Hulu Bernam, Kuala Kubu Bharu and Batang Kali state seats at the Hulu Selangor Sports Complex.


Rain deters not supporters in Gurun

8.45am: Gurun, Kedah - The rain does not deter PN and Harapan-BN supporters from turning up in full force to show support for their coalition candidates.

PN supporters rock up the nomination centre at Dewan Lestari Guar Chempedak in style, parading flags in four-wheel drives.

On the other side of the battlefield are Harapan-BN supporters donned in their signature blue and red outfits.

Candidates from Harapan, Firdaus Johari and PN’s Baddrol Bakhtiar arrive one after another at approximately 8.30am.



PN’s candidates and anti-LGBT rhetoric

8.47am: Pasir Mas, Kelantan - PN's candidates in Pasir Mas - Rozi Muhamad (Tendong) Mohamad Nasrif Daud (Pengkalan Pasir), and Mohd Nassuruddin Daud (Meranti) - arrive with a large group of supporters.

The trio, all from PAS, join the crowd in chanting, Allahuakbar.

The group also shouts "Tolak LGBT" (Reject LGBT).


PN’s Sungai Besar aspirant arrives with PAS

8:45am: Sekinchan, Selangor - PN candidate Goh Gaik Meng and about 70 supporters gather in front of the religious school to pray and prepare to depart for the nomination station.

PAS members also came to support Goh.


Gerakan’s Lau arrives at nomination centre

8.40am: Bayan Lepas, Penang - Gerakan president Dominic Lau reaches the nomination centre, smiling and waving to the media.

He is trailed by a group of Gerakan and PN supporters, carrying cardboard cutouts of Lau in a show of support.

When asked, the supporters tell Malaysiakini that there are no PAS members among them.


Harapan-BN’s candidate for Jeneri arrives

8.37am: Sik, Kedah - BN’s candidate for Jeneri Muhamad Khizri Abu Kassim arrives at the Sik land and district office with a sea of red and blue trailing him.

Jeneri aspirant Muhamad Khizri Abu Kassim (centre)

Khizri is expected to face caretaker menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.


Muhyiddin arrives in Gombak

8.30am: Gombak, Selangor - PN chief Muhyiddin Yassin accompanies PN's candidates in Gombak.

The candidates are Azmin Ali (Hulu Kelang), Hilman Idham (Gombak Setia) and Muhammad Hanif Jamaluddin (Sungai Tua)

PN candidates sing “Hoi Ya Hoi” - the Harapan GE15 campaign song they have co-opted - as they march towards SMK Sungai Pusu.


Tiong arrives to back caretaker Penang CM

8.26am: Tanjong, Penang - Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing is in town to show support for caretaker Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing

Also accompanying Chow to the Dewan Sri Pinang nomination centre is Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying.

Chow is looking for a fourth term as Padang Kota assemblyperson.


Calm at SMK Sungai Pusu

8.25am: Gombak, Selangor - All is calm at the SMK Sungai Pusu nomination centre.

Supporters from both Harapan-BN and PN have been gathering outside the building since 7am.

The media is awaiting the arrival of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who will be showing support for the Madani coalition's candidates.


All is well in Bayan Lepas

8.18am: Bayan Lepas, Penang - Incumbent Bayan Lepas assemblyperson Azrul Mahathir Aziz from Amanah reaches the nomination centre.

Bayan Lepas aspirant Azrul Mahathir Aziz

Many supporters are wearing red Pakatan Harapan T-shirts in support of the candidate.


Supporters gather in Sungai Besar

8.03am: Sungai PanjangSelangor - Supporters of BN and Pakatan Harapan are gathering in the Sungai Besar Umno division before walking to the nomination centre.

Sungai Panjang aspirant Mohd Imran Tamrin

Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos is expected to be here to endorse the party’s candidate, Mohd Imran Tamrin.

The supporters received free T-shirts, breakfast and a voucher after registering using their IC.


7.30am: Over 500 candidates are expected to submit their nomination papers to contest 245 state seats up for grabs in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan, and one parliamentary by-election in Kuala Terengganu.

The six state elections followed Perlis, Perak and Pahang which had their state polls held concurrently with the 15th general elections in November last year.

Meanwhile, Sabah, Sarawak, Malacca and Johor already had their state elections between 2020 and last year.

Unlike in GE15, this would be the first time for Pakatan Harapan and BN working together as a part of the federal government - facing off against PAS, Bersatu and Gerakan of the Perikatan Nasional coalition.

Other parties that had announced their candidates include Muda and PSM, that has formed an electoral pact.

Nominations will be open from 9am to 10am, after which, official campaigns will start for 14 days until the stroke of midnight on Aug 11.

The following day, Aug 12, Malaysians would cast their ballots. - Mkini

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