DAY 10 | There are only four days left for candidates to campaign to win the hearts of voters for the six state elections before they head to the ballot box.
News report from the ground.
Highlights
Chegubard lodges report over alleged RM10b ‘land scandal’
MCA Youth wants DAP to explain its bumiputera stand
Kelantan MB candidate: Zahid receives list of names
No shorts, no tourists if PN in power, minister says
PKR sec-gen confident of winning 19 of 36 Kedah seats
PN sec-gen calls state polls ‘people’s referendum’
11.20pm: Sungai Pelek, Selangor - Chants of “Referendum!” ring out at a ceramah in Kampung Labu Lanjut as Perikatan Nasional continues to cast the state elections as a plebiscite on the federal government’s performance.
In his speech, PN secretary-general Hamzah Zainudin accused Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as “completely untrustworthy” and “lies like taking vitamins”, and pledged that PN will help all citizens if it wins.
“Anwar should step down. This government is a failure. We call this the rakyat’s referendum struggle,” he said.
He then leads the audience of about 150 people to chant “Referandum” three times in a fashion that echos PKR’s cry for “Reformasi”.
PKR sec-gen confident of winning 19 of 36 Kedah seats
8.35pm: Alor Setar, Kedah - PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail appears upbeat about Pakatan Harapan and BN’s chances in Kedah, widely seen as a frontline state in the six state elections.
According to Bernama, he expresses confidence in winning at least 19 out of 36 state constituencies in Kedah, which would be just enough to achieve a simple majority in the state assembly.
This optimism stems from support shown in the first week of campaigning and the work of the party machinery.
“After this, I will be heading to Ayer Hangat and Kuah in Langkawi. Both these state constituencies were initially not on our radar for a win, as we were focusing on Sidam, Bakar Arang, Lunas, Bukit Selambau, and Kulim.
“However, based on the first week’s report, all signs show that these two constituencies have the potential of contributing to our victory,” he reportedly says after meeting traders and local community members in Alor Setar.
No shorts, no tourists if PN in power, minister says
8.15pm: Gombak Setia, Selangor - Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing warns non-Muslim voters against letting PAS come into power, saying they will end up being banned from wearing shorts and drinking alcohol.
Speaking at a hi-tea event with Taman Sri Gombak residents, he says PAS’ hardline stance will also scare away tourists from visiting the country.
“If you let PAS get into power, you... especially those who like to wear shorts, you will have stay at home. If you get out of your house, you will be fined.
“This has happened in Kelantan. The same almost happened to a tourist in Langkawi.
“If they come into power, how are we going to attract tourists? Who will want to visit our country? Even ghosts will run away,” he tells the crowd of about 100 people.
Tiong is at the event to campaign for BN candidate Megat Zulkarnain Omardin,who is contesting the Gombak Setia state seat.
PJD Link cancellation not fully about state elections - Amirudin
7pm – The Selangor government decided to cancel the Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) project because the developer did not manage to meet the requirements of the social impact assessment (SIA), says caretaker menteri besar Amirudin Shari.
If the developer can review its proposal and meet the SIA requirements, then the government may reconsider the PJD Link project, he adds.
When asked if the timing of the announcement to cancel the project was related to the ongoing state polls, Amirudin says the review of the assessment reports started several months ago.
“So it not fully about the state elections,” he says with a smile, during his appearance today on the Keluar Sekejap podcast, which is hosted by Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan.
While the podcast today featured Amirudin, they will release another episode on Wednesday with former Selangor menteri besar Mohamed Azmin Ali.
Azmin’s micromanaging is his obstacle, Amirudin says
6.45pm – Selangor caretaker menteri besar Amirudin Shari acknowledges his predecessor Mohamed Azmin Ali was a good menteri besar “in some aspects”.
However, he elaborates that Azmin micromanages too much, which is to his detriment as the leader of a state.
“In certain aspects, yes, he’s a good menteri besar but his method of administration is to micromanage, so sometimes he makes decisions slowly and very carefully.
“But to govern a state that is so big or to become a prime minister – since his ambition is to be the prime minister – as a leader, we have to trust our subordinates and our team, and with that trust, we can move forward.
“He still maintains that micromanaging style, from what I know of him, so maybe that will be an obstacle to his ambitions,” says Amirudin in the latest instalment of the Keluar Sekejap podcast hosted by Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan.
Azmin is standing in Hulu Kelang while Amirudin is defending the Sungai Tua seat.
‘Permatang Pauh no longer Anwar-territory’
6pm: George Town, Penang - Perikatan Nasional (PN)’s candidate for Penanti Zulkefli Bakar claims Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim no longer commands the same support he used to in the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency.
On Saturday, Anwar, at a packed ceramah in Permatang Pauh, expressed hope that all three state constituencies under it - including Penanti - would be won by Harapan.
Zulkefli, however, claims that the 3,000-strong crowd at the ceramah was mostly bussed in.
“We found that a lot of them bussed from outside came in, the locals did not attend… and they don’t know what has been done by Anwar, (his wife Dr) Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and (daughter) Nurul Izzah,” Zulkefli tells Malaysiakini after the launch of Penang PN’s manifesto today.
PN captured Permatang Pauh from Nurul Izzah during GE15 last year with 43 percent of the vote in a four-cornered fight.
In Penanti, 45 percent of voters in the state constituency voted PN at the parliamentary level, followed by Harapan (34 percent) and BN (21 percent).
Kelantan MB candidate: Zahid receives list of names
5pm: Jeli, Kelantan - BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says he has received several names as potential menteri besar candidates for Kelantan if the coalition wins the state election on Aug 12.
Zahid says state Umno liaison chairperson Ahmad Jazlan Yaakob submitted the list recently but declined to reveal the names, Bernama reports.
Based on media reports, Kelantan PAS, on the other hand, is not revealing its potential menteri besar candidate until the state election is over.
Sheikh Umar campaigns for Harapan’s Padang Lalang pick
4.50pm: DAP central committee member Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali pays tribute to his wife Syeril Nadia Rosli, while stumping for Pakatan Harapan’s Padang Lalang candidate Daniel Gooi.
In a Facebook post, Sheikh Umar credits Gooi for assisting his previous Johor state election campaign in Paloh, while Syeril stayed home with their four children.
“During the Johor election, I was based in Paloh. My wife took care of the children at home, while Gooi took care of me in Paloh.
“This time I came down to see Gooi campaign in Padang Lalang, and I had time for a video call (with my wife),” says the former Paloh assemblyperson.
“My wife says ‘Hi’ and she will always pray for Gooi to win,” he adds.
MCA Youth wants DAP to explain its bumiputera stand
4.45pm: MCA Youth questions DAP’s silence over remarks by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that if the quota system was scrapped, it would risk Pakatan Harapan and BN losing in all of the coming elections.
DAP was urged to explain its stance over its Setapak Declaration which stresses equality as the main principle in nation-building and opposes the distinction between bumiputera and non-bumiputera.
MCA Youth says the Chinese community had long been incited to hate MCA over their stance in defending the quota system, when it is now shown that Anwar has a similar view as them.
The quota system, MCA Youth says, is to ensure harmony among Malaysians, adding that the system does not deny opportunities to any non-Muslims who are truly deserving.
“The question now is can DAP accept the explanation from the prime minister or will they continue their fight to oppose the distinction of bumiputera and non-bumiputera as stated in the Setapak Declaration which is still accessible on its website today?” says MCA Youth in a statement today.
Gunaraj urges Anwar to reassure rakyat that all voices matter
4.20pm: Pakatan Harapan’s Sentosa candidate G Gunaraj agrees that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim could have been more diplomatic and nuanced in his response to a student who asked him whether the government planned to do away with the bumiputera quota system.
Gunaraj says Anwar is representing the coalition government and as such, whatever he said could reverberate in multiple ways.
“I see the importance of maintaining stability and unity in our diverse nation. I believe this incident serves as a reminder that we, as political leaders, must strive to create a more inclusive environment for public discourse.
“Going forward, it is crucial for the unity government and Anwar to reassure all Malaysians that their voices matter and their concerns will not be dismissed,” he says in a statement.
Anwar faced backlash for his response to the teen which was deemed dismissive and bullying.
Jamal slams PN for displaying Sanusi on S’gor billboard
4pm: Sungai Panjang, Selangor - Umno leader Jamal Md Yunos criticises Perikatan Nasional’s Sungai Panjang candidate Razali Saari for using caretaker Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s picture on his campaign billboards.
Jamal says it is “insensitive” of the candidate as Sanusi had insulted the Selangor ruler and has been taken to court over the matter.
“I want to ask if such rude behaviour is what PAS wants to bring to Selangor, especially Sungai Panjang,” the Sungai Besar Umno division chief adds.
When contacted, Razali only replied with a link to a Malaysiakini article about PN maintaining Sanusi’s role as its election director after Sanusi was charged in court over his remarks.
Chegubard lodges report over alleged RM10b ‘land scandal’
3.30pm: Bersatu supreme council member Badrul Hisham Shaharin today claims there are two issues that implicate the Selangor government under caretaker menteri besar Amirudin Shari.
During a press conference at the Selangor PAS headquarters, Badrul, known as Chegubard, says he lodged an MACC report yesterday over an alleged RM10 billion “land scandal” linked to a private company owned by a prominent tycoon.
He also questions Amirudin over the status of the Bukit Lagong forest reserve.
“The Bukit Lagong forest reserve was trespassed, there are projects carried out.
“We want to ask whether it is still a forest reserve or otherwise?” says Chegubard who claims there are ongoing mining activities there.
Sanusi’s ‘signature’ gesture turns into campaign fodder
2.15pm: PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man attempts to imply in a social media post that pictures of him and a group of young men raising their hands in the air “in the style of Kedah menteri besar” is a sign of what’s to come in this state election.
“Wherever it is, taking pictures while holding up your hands in the style of Kedah MB is now a must for freestyle pictures. While attending a wedding today, the youths I met gave a signal for this coming state polls,” he says in the post.
He is likely referring to caretaker Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who was photographed holding one hand up after he was slapped with sedition charges last month.
However, two of the men in the pictures refute his posting.
“YB, don’t be like this. We were there to celebrate our best friend’s wedding. Plus, it was you who invited us to take a picture like that, we were just having fun,” one says in reply to Tuan Ibrahim’s post.
“Out of respect, we greeted him and took a picture like that because he asked us to pose like that. This should just be an inside joke, but it has been made into campaigning material,” says another.
Sanusi ‘appears’ in Selangor
1.30pm: Sungai Panjang, Sungai Besar – A billboard featuring caretaker Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor is spotted in Sungai Panjang, Selangor.
The billboard shows Sanusi holding up his hand along with PN’s Sungai Panjang candidate Razali Saari.
Sanusi recently got in hot water with Selangor royalty after saying the Kedah sultanate was the only one in the country with uninterrupted lineage and that the Kedah ruler would not have appointed Amirudin Shari as menteri besar to head the Selangor state administration.
He is also facing sedition charges over those remarks.
Wan Fayhsal campaigns for Lau in Bayan Lepas
1pm: Bayan Lepas, Penang - Perikatan Nasional Youth deputy chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal pays a visit to Bayan Lepas to campaign for Gerakan president Dominic Lau.
They conduct a joint walkabout at the Nelayan Sungai Batu village.
Fayhsal states that this is a seat PN can actually win, but some members of PAS are not satisfied with this arrangement.
“It’s already the final week and they shouldn’t be dissatisfied at this point.
“I believe we can achieve a miracle in just a week’s time, as long as we follow the leaders’ directives,” he says.
BN’s Chempaka candidate’s husband comes to her defence
11am: Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu - The husband of BN’s Chempaka candidate Nik Normi Nik Ayub lodges a police report against online accusations that she did not attend Friday prayers last week.
Zailany Zakaria says he made the police report to defend his wife from the accusations.
“This issue worsens the situation as it gives a negative perception to the community of the candidate. I stress that the BN Chempaka candidate is a woman and is not obligated to attend Friday prayers.
“I am convinced that the (Facebook) account intentionally uploaded such words as if to undermine the moral standing of the BN candidate and create a negative effect in the upcoming state polls,” he says, as reported by Berita Harian.
He adds that he will not hesitate to take action against the owner of the Facebook account who posted the accusation.
Topic chosen for Rafizi v Syahir debate
10am: The topic “New Model for Malaysia’s Economy” has been chosen for the debate between Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli and Bachok MP Syahir Sulaiman on Aug 9.
Rafizi in an Instagram post announces that the debate will be televised live by RTM and Astro Awani at 9.30pm, as well as online on RTM Klik and Astro Go.
“InsyaAllah, the people will be able to objectively evaluate the economic plan and direction that will be debated,” says Rafizi.
Anwar chides PN for attacking Amirudin
8.30am: Hulu Kelang, Selangor - Pakatan Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim has chided Perikatan Nasional for attacking caretaker Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari when they themselves could not decide on their poster boy for the state election.
Speaking at a mega ceramah in Taman Permata last night, he said PN leaders constantly criticised Amirudin and the Harapan-led Selangor administration.
“But who is your candidate for menteri besar? On our side, I have already announced that it would be Amirudin.
“You can’t even agree on who to be your MB candidate,” he said.
Vote Azmin out, teach him a lesson - Anwar
8.15am: Hulu Kelang, Selangor - Pakatan Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim called on Hulu Kelang voters to politically “impale” Azmin Ali by voting him out in the Selangor state election.
Speaking at a mega ceramah in Taman Permata last night, the prime minister related the story of ‘Si Kitol’, who was given the “sula” (impalement) punishment by the Malacca sultan for being a traitor.
“During those days, whoever betrayed the Malay rulers would be impaled, and not only that, but their house would also be burnt to the ground and the soil below it would be dug out and thrown into the sea.
“What is the moral of this story? The Malays are taught that we should never condone treachery among us.
“So, let’s teach him (Azmin) a lesson and make him lose this election, just like Si Kitol,” Anwar said.
Wild ride: Azmin ventures into forest on ATV
8am: Hulu Kelang, Selangor - Perikatan Nasional candidate Azmin Ali’s campaign on Sunday took him deep into the forests.
Azmin, together with some 50 youths, rode ATVs in the Kemensah forest reserve in Selangor yesterday.
“With determination and effort, as well as high discipline, we succeeded in reaching the peak and enjoyed the peaceful beauty of the forest, the beautiful waterfall, and the singing of birds breaking the silence,” he said on Facebook.
The former Selangor menteri besar said Kampung Kemensah has big potential as an eco and sports tourism destination. - Mkini
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