It was a humid, sweltering afternoon in Permatang Pauh on mainland Penang state in northern Malaysia, the scene of what could prove to be a pivotal by-election for the country on Aug 26.

A lunch-time Malay-Muslim crowd was filling up a restaurant by the mainroad. Some appeared to be office workers while others looked as if they were from out of town. Women with headscarves sat with their families; a couple of them wore smart office attire without headscarves. Men with smart, bright batik wear stood in contrast with villagers in more traditional Malay attire with white skull caps.

	Out on bail, free to campaign
	The people are suffering