S'WAK POLLS | LIVE BLOG DAY 12 It is the final day of campaigning for the Sarawak elections, although some of the politicking might slow down as the search for a missing helicopter carrying VIPs takes priority.
After holding a press conference on the missing chopper, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is expected to continue campaigning around Kuching today.
Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem meanwhile is ending his campaign at a SUPP ceramah featuring several of its candidates, including party president Dr Sim Kui Han for Batu Kawah.
Meanwhile PKR deputy president Azmin Ali is planning to defy Adenan by coming to Sarawak without appealing the travel restrictions placed on him.
All campaigning must end at midnight.
Follow our LIVE BLOG as the Malaysiakini team in Sarawak brings you the news as it takes place.
'Umno is the big boss, PBB a follower'
11.40pm - Sibu: Selangor DAP exco Teng Chang Khim, the last speaker for Sibu DAP’s grand finale ceramah, points out that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has rejected a request from caretaker Chief Minister Adenan Satem for an increase in oil royalty, from 5 percent to 20 percent.
If Sarawak BN is genuine in fighting for the state’s autonomy, he says Adenan should be able to convince Najib during the state poll, which is crucial for Najib's political carreer.
" 'If (BN federal government) doesn't give, we will exit from BN.’ He (Adenan) should have said this in his negotiations,” Teng says, to a huge applause from the 8,000-strong crowd.
Among the BN component parties, Umno is the big boss while PBB is only a follower, he claims.
"How is a follower able to negotiate with the big boss?" asks Teng, claiming that if he were Adenan's consultant, he would advise the state leader to exit BN and form a ruling coalition within Sarawak, and use that to bargain with Najib.
In the final 10 minutes of campaigning time, fireworks light up the area behind the mobile stage.
All DAP candidates, Ubah Warrior mascot, and organisers – wave the DAP party flag and sing a number of DAP-themed songs – on stage.
The emcee later announces that DAP raised RM19,477.95 from the grand finale here on top of RM12,055 from the sales of merchandises.
Ending with a theme song
11:15pm - 4 1/2 Mile Kuching: DAP ends its final night of ceramah. The candidates parade on stage as supporters wave the party flag.
Speakers blare out the party's 'Just Change' campaign theme song.
DAP's biggest donation from Miri crowd
11.00pm - Pujut, Miri: The venue of DAP's ceramah here turns into a dance of lights as the audience are invited to whip out their phones and wave them in the air, as the Chinese language song 'We Look Forward to a Better Tomorrow' is played.
Later, the emcee announces that the final ceramah has drawn the largest donation than any of the previous nights - RM30,500.
This brings DAP's campaigning in the three Miri state seats to a close, as supporters are asked to go home and rest, get up early, put on their best, and vote for 'the rocket' tomorrow morning.
A sea of ‘Where is RM2.6b’ placards
11pm - Sibu: Bukit Assek candidate Irene Mary Chang Oi Ling has asked some children attending the rally with their parents to come onstage.
Accompanied by a parent and organisers, more than 10 children join her.
"Think of our future generation," Chang pitches a final appeal to the audience to vote for DAP tomorrow.
"If we want change, we have to change ourselves first," she says, mixing Mandarin with English as well as Foochow dialect in addressing the crowd.
Later, an emcee asks all in the audience who have ‘Where is RM2.6 billion' placards to raise it and take a picture.
"BN dares not tell us where the RM2.6 billion is but Sibu people will never give up to find out the answer!" shouts the emcee.
The whole Sibu Town Square Phase II becomes a sea of ‘Where is RM2.6 billion’ posters, as Selangor exco Teng Chang Khim takes the microphone.
Withdraw? 'To hell with you'
10.30pm - 4 1/2 Mile, Kuching: DAP state leader Chong Chieng Jen says he has received a phonecall asking him to withdraw.
"I participated in the Bersih rally in Kuching but out of thousands, I was picked out and charged by the police," says Chong.
He says he received a call asking him to drop out of the race in exchange for the dropping of the charges.
"I told him immediately, to hell with you," says Chong.
He says BN is doing all it can to stay in power.
"They have banned our leaders but allowed in Umno. They also allow in West Malaysian soldiers and their families who stay at luxury hotels.
“This is Adenan's fight for his survival and there's nothing too low he would not do to stay in power,” Chong claims.
Sim dispenses advice for ally and rival
10.10pm - Batu Kawah, Kuching: An under the weather Adenan Satem addresses the SUPP ceramah in a pre-recorded a video.
"I am sorry I can't be with you because the doctor asks me to rest and to take care of my health," Adenan said.
In the recording, the caretaker chief minister reiterates that BN will rule Sarawak with more than two-thirds majority.
SUPP president and Batu Kawah candidate Dr Sim Kui Hian uses his time on stage to dispense advice for both ally and rival.
He tells Adenan to rest, and urges the crowd to vote for BN to take care of Adenan.
Sim also asks his DAP opponent Christina Chiew to keep an eye on her health.
"I heard Chiew had a miscarriage today. I feel very sad. I want her to rest well; don't sacrifice your life on an election," added Sim, who is a medical doctor.
By the time SUPP candidate for Pending Milton Foo takes the stage after Sim's speech, the crowd has tapered to 300.
Yong shocks Kuching crowd with news of Chiew's miscarriage
10pm - 4 1/2 Mile, Kuching: The crowd has swelled to well over 5,000 as a teary-eyed Christina Chiew takes the stage with her husband.
DAP candidate Violet Yong tells a shocked audience that Chiew won't be speaking tonight, after suffering a miscarriage today.
Earlier, Yong, in her firebrand style, denigrated SUPP for constantly bowing to PBB.
"(SUPP president Dr) Sim Kui Hian should not waste his time. He should do everyone a favour and return to the hospital ward where he is actually useful," Yong says, describing Sim's leadership as ineffectual and weak.
Yong condemns verbal attacks on DAP: "BN loves to say DAP can't do anything. Of course we can't do anything. If we had access to income tax and GST, we'd have long beautify Kuching like you wouldn't believe."
Yong says regardless of urban support, Adenan would still remain as chief minister.
"So don't worry over how much you love Adenan. Just remember to vote DAP," says Yong, before breaking into her fourth song of the night.
Earlier, DAP's ‘Tak Nak BN’ campaign song composer Adrian David Jr sings a rendition of the song, with the crowd joining in.
"BN kasi duit, sila angkut masuk poket." (When BN gives you money, put it in your pocket.)
"Tapi bila undi, pangkahlah roket!" (But when it comes to voting, put a cross next to rocket!)
Sibu sings 'I Believe'
9.50pm - Sibu: Videos take centrestage in DAP’s ceramah in Sibu. One is a documentary highlighting DAP candidates’ efforts in helping rural areas in Sarawak.
The emcee appeals to the urban voters to back DAP in their attempts to win more seats in non-urban areas.
Another clip features 
DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, which says the 75-year-old has spent over 300 hours and travelled a few thousand kilometres on the campaign trail recently, drawing a big applause from the audience.
After this, the event livestreams Lim's speech in Miri.
With two hours before campaigning comes to a halt, the enthusiastic crowd - waving DAP flags and placards - has increased from 6,000 to nearly 8,000.
DAP’s Sibu parliamentarian Oscar Ling is singing ‘I Believe’, a Chinese song which is turning into an anthem for the last night of campaigning.
SUPP says goodnight, shouts 'victory'
9.45pm - Lutong, Miri: SUPP's Piasau candidate Sebastian Ting and Senadin candidate Lee Kim Shin call it a night.
They end their ceramah by leading the 300-odd crowd to shout "Victory!" repeatedly before dispersing.
The emcee then reminds voters to go out and cast their ballots and reiterates Ting's call for them not to get drunk tonight.
BN's Sibu candidates campaign their own way
9.40pm – Sibu: As the clock ticks closer to midnight, BN's candidates in Sibu go their separate ways to make their final appeals to voters.
Malaysiakini understands that Bawang Assan candidate Wong Soon Koh is having his own programme with voters in the interiors.
Meanwhile Pelawan nominee Janet Lau is meeting voters at a night market in the Sibu city centre.
As for Dudong candidate Tiong Thai King, he's having a dinner with Chinese guild members at the Kingwood Hotel.
About 2,000 people came for the dinner, which feature musical performances and a dance routine by students.
Two videos, starring the chief minister
9.30pm - Batu Kawah, Kuching: Adenan Satem may be absent from the SUPP ceramah but his presence is felt with the screening of two videos headlined by the caretaker chief minister.
The first features the state BN leader in a speech at Batu Kawah a week earlier, urging voters to choose SUPP President Dr Sim Kui Hian to fight for Chinese rights in the state assembly.
Titled ‘Ibu pertiwi’, the second video features Adenan as a bus driver, asking Sim whether he is ready to go.
To the question, the SUPP chief replies, "Yes."
The first row seats - reserved for Adenan - are empty due to his last minute cancellation from attending the event.
Miri saves the best for last
9.30pm - Pujut, Miri: The crowd at the DAP ceramah here breaks into wild cheers of "Ubah!" as DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang and national laureate and party member A Samad Said make their appearance on stage, together with the party's three Miri candidates.
This is DAP’s strongest showing yet since the election campaign started, with some 8,000 enthusiastic supporters joining the final push.
Unlike the previous nights, a section of the nearby Jalan Boulevard Utama is closed to traffic, allowing more people to gather near the stage.
Meanwhile, in Pujut, independent candidate Fong Pau Teck's ceramah is an earshot away.
Things are looking a little better than previous nights.
There are only about 50 people present, and some curious onlookers watching from a distance.
'Strong, independent, brave, unyielding'
9.15pm - Sibu: On the eve of polling day, DAP organises its final ceramah at Sibu Town Square, attracting a 6,000-strong audience.
The area surrounding the ceramah venue is packed with cars.
The event displays a huge banner featuring four DAP candidates, each with one word to describe their characteristics: ‘strong’ for Irene Mary Chang Oi Ling; ‘independent’ for David Wong, ‘brave’ for Stanley Chiew, and ‘unyielding’ for Yap Hoi Liong.
The ceramah is livestreaming a speech from DAP ‘Superman’ Hew Kuan Yau, who is enthusiastically welcomed by the audience.
He tells Sarawak voters that BN has always deemed Sarawak a "fixed deposit" in terms of votes for the ruling coalition, which is why the BN government will not listen to their appeal.
"As long as you are a fixed deposit state, oil royalty will never increase but Goods and Services Tax (GST) may rise," he warns.
Hew's speech proves popular, with the audience clapping and blowing whistles to support his message.
DAP has set up a few booths to sell campaign materials, such as Ubah Warrior dolls, T-shirts, and flags.
A lot of supporters, including children, can be seen wearing their red DAP T-shirts.
'Najib will never give oil royalty'
9.15 pm - 4 1/1 mile Kuching: Abdul Aziz brings his father Marindo Taha on stage, saying he has received unconditional support throughout his foray into politics from his parent.
Meanwhile, Wong King Wei announces that he has received word that a "car filled with money is making its way to Mas Gading", implying state BN is engaging in vote buying. His claim was received with loud boos.
DAP 'Superman' Hew Kuan Yau makes an appearance, calling Adenan Satem a two-faced politician: "He appears a lamb but he is actually a snake. He sells land cheaply to his cronies."
Hew also said Najib would never give Sarawak its 20 percent oil royalty.
"If he doesn't do it now - when so much is at stake for BN and when there is an election - he will never do it!"
'Don't get drunk on election eve'
9.15pm: Lutong, Miri - BN candidate for Piasau Sebastian Ting reminds a crowd comprising mostly from the bumiputera community not to get drunk on election eve.
"Don't drink tonight ya. Tomorrow after you vote, then you drink," Ting tells the amused crowd of 300-strong.
He also tells them to kick him out if he wins and doesn't serve the public.
The crowd includes Dayaks from the squatter settlements of Kampung Api-Api, Kampung Pasir and Kampung Merican, who just received their documentation to resettle into proper housing yesterday.
Tonight's crowd at the last of the campaign season, appears to be among the most well attended for SUPP, which had previously managed to pull in about only 50 people a night in this bumiputera area.
PKR takes sombre approach
8.50pm: Kuching - PKR takes a sombre approach for the final stretch of its campaigning amid the helicopter tragedy yesterday.
Among the six onboard the helicopter were deputy minister Noriah Kasnon and Kuala Kangsar MP Wan Mohammad Khairil Anuar Wan Ahmad.
Instead of a political ceramah at Third Mile, Some 100 people light up a candle with the word "pray".
Noriah's remains have been found but five more are unaccounted for.
Also present is PKR's candidate for Batu Kitang Voon Shiak Ni.
Strong crowd at SUPP but DAP pulls a bigger one
8.45pm: Batu Kawah, Kuching - Seven kilometres away from SUPP's ceramah, at 4 1/2 Mile, DAP is also pulling a strong crowd for its grand finale,
More than 4,000 people throng the Boulevard Commercial Centre as speakers make their final pitch.
DAP candidate for Padungan Wong King Wei emphasises the importance of the ceramah, pointing out that the opposition gets no coverage in the mainstream media.
He also attacks Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem, accusing him of bowing to the will of Putrajaya.
8.30pm: Batu Kawah, Kuching - The crowd at SUPP's ceramah doubles to over 2,000 in a short period of time as SUPP president Sim Kui Hian makes his debut.
The atmosphere is electric as Sim shakes hands with those present.
PBB supporters also hold up multi-lingual placards blasting the opposition.
Among them reads: "DAP = the king of foul words ", "YB DAP Sarawak does not do work" and "PKR does not respect Sarawak autonomy".
Interestingly, one of the Mandarin placards says "No tycoon politics" in an apparent reference to independent candidate for Batu Kawah Liu Tian Leong, who was previously a member of SUPP splinter party UPP.
Liu was accused by SUPP of playing money politics.
Adenan Satem absent from grand finale
7.45pm: Batu Kawah, Kuching - Caretaker Sarawak chief minister Adenan Satem cancels his appearance at SUPP president Sim Hui Kian's grand finale ceramah at MCJ Batu Kawah.
Adenan had also cancelled his programmes yesterday after failling ill with fever.
Adenan's press secretary confirms to Malaysiakini about Adenan's absence but says the chief minister's health is alright.
The chief minister's absence during this final stretch of campaigning will not bode well for Sim as the former is popular among Chinese voters.
More than 1,000 people, mostly Chinese, are here for the ceramah.
Organisers screens past speeches by Adenan.
Opposition sends condolences to killed deputy minister
7.30pm: Kuala Lumpur - Opposition leader Wan Azizah Wan Ismail sends her condolences to the victims of a helicopter crash in Sarawak yesterday.
Among the victims include deputy minister Noriah Kasnon.
"On behalf of opposition MPs, I would like to extend my condolences to her family.
"May Allah grant her family strength and patience in these trying times," she says in a statement.
Wan Azizah adds that she hopes the remaining five on board, including Kuala Kangsar MP Wan Mohammad Khairil Anuar Wan Ahmad would be found soon.
RM30 saga - Rela officers say willing to work without allowances
3.30pm: Kuala Baram, Miri - Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi sarcastically asks Rela officers at a function today if they could work without allowances.
Each time he asks the 200 Rela officers in attendance would shout back "Boleh! (Yes)".
"I am asking this many times on purpose so that the journalists will write that Rela is willing to work without allowances," Zahid (photo) says.
His remarks follows a Malaysiakini report yesterday that Rela officers were given RM30 to attend an event in Kuching.
Meanwhile Zahid, who was accompanying Senadin candidate Lee Kim Shin on the campaign trail, approved RM1 million for breakwaters and a yet to be determined amount for a surau in Kuala Baram, and RM300,000 for repairs to the An-Naim Mosque in Lutong.
Najib turns up at hot seat Tasik Biru to counter DAP
11.00am: Tasik Biru, Bau - In the last day of campaign, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak appears at the Redeems Centre to show support for BN candidate Henry Jinep to counter DAP's effort to have its first breakthrough in a Bumiputera-majority seat, Tasik Biru.
Najib (photo) announces the allocation of another RM5 million for the local Bidayuh Cultural Centre and road upgrading, making it total of RM10 million in contribution.
"On the other request from our candidate (Jinep), I will consider after May 7 election," he said referring to the construction of Chinese Cultural Centre and SMK Jagoi.
Later, Jinep refused to comment on the distribution of RM30 cash in envelopes at a People's Volunteer Corp (Rela) function yesterday.
"No comment," he said.
Tasik Biru constituency is turning out to be rather hot as DAP aims to wrest its first Bumiputera seat in Sarawak.
One-day campaign blitz for Azmin fizzles out
10:30am: Kuching - Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali is barred from entering Sarawak upon his arrival, and is made to board the next flight back to Kuala Lumpur.
Over a hundred PKR supporters are gathered at the Kuching International Airport to see if the PKR deputy president would make it past the Immigration gates.
Meanwhile, PKR vice-president Dr Xavier Jayakumar (photo) says the party is greatly disappointed by the actions of Sarawak's immigration authorities.
"This is a sad day. The chief minister (Adenan Satem) has abused his position by barring politicians. To do this to a chief of a state in Malaysia speaks volumes on the state of affairs in BN. We feel a great wrong has been done," he tells reporters.
Party officials have been planning a one-day campaign blitz or Azmin, ending today's tour of Sarawak in Serembu at midnight.
SUPP chief Sim Kui Han denies receiving RM500k Najib cheque
10.15am: Kuching - SUPP president Sim Kui Han denies receiving a cheque for RM500,000 allegedly from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
"Reference is made to a currently viral image of a cheque purportedly made to SUPP published in Sarawak Report.
"Party finances are handled by (the) party president only. Since coming into office as party president in Sept 2014, I have never received such a cheque," Sim wrote on his Facebook yesterday.
He hopes Sarawakians will not be misled by "opposition propaganda" meant to distract voters from local issues.
Ad blitz: Preserve S’wak "prosperity" by choosing BN
9.50am: Miri - The front pages of today's The Borneo Post, See Hua, and Sin Chew Daily sport an advertisement from Sarawak BN appealing to Sarawakians to vote for the ruling coalition.
In the advertisement, incumbent chief minister Adenan Satem calls on voters to preserve harmony, and ensure the prosperity for Sarawak by choosing BN.
Tomorrow, polling day, newspapers will not be allowed to print anything related to campaigning.
PKR Batu Kitang snipes DAP rival in ad campaign
9.30am: Kuching - In her advertisement, PKR Batu Kitang candidate Voon Shiak Ni tells voters to choose her as she has worked hard over the past ten years.
"(My ten years) is much better than ten days of ceramah and parachute candidates," she says in a Chinese advertisement in See Hua Daily.
Despite not naming names, she is obviously referring to DAP candidate Abdul Aziz Isa, who surfaced at the constituency only two years ago.
In the advertisement, she adds the people would be getting two politicians to serve them if she wins on Saturday, referring to both BN candidate Lo Khere Chiang, who is also a local councillor, and herself.
She calls the people to send a sincere woman’s voice into the state legislative assembly.
Putrajaya dishes out RM5.5m to churches, says opposition couldn’t deliver
9.15am: Ba'kelalan – Putrajaya has approved an allocation of RM5.5 million to assist 110 rural churches in Ba'kelalan.
Federal minister Maximus Ongkili says the sum is for the "physical needs" of the churches, which are mostly of the Sidang Injil Borneo denomination.
"The grant will be disbursed based on the requests submitted by the churches, some of which need repairs while others are newly built," he is quoted by Bernama saying last night.
He says the allocation shows that the federal government is supportive of the religious and spiritual development of the people.
The energy, green technology and water minister says opposition lawmakers would not be able to aid these churches.
"The last five years have been bitter for the people due to lack of development. I believe the voters here are wise and will make the right decision come polling day," he adds.
"Only a caring party like BN can assist on the infrastructure needs of the people, including for worship in Sabah and Sarawak," he says when campaigning for BN candidate Willie Liau.
Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian is defending the state seat.
PAS deserves to lose all 11 deposits over ‘Muslim CM’ - DAP
8am: Murum - DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang slams PAS chief Abdul Hadi Awang for the latter’s remark yesterday, saying if DAP wins the state, its choice of chief minister would be Dayak.
“It is very sad and shocking to see PAS advocating such narrow and divisive politics, when everyone should be promoting unity, harmony and togetherness in our multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-lingual and multi-cultural society.
“I dare say that if DAP succeeds in forming Sarawak government in next [state] election in 2021, the first DAP chief minister of Sarawak is unlikely to be a Chinese but most likely be a Dayak,” says Lim in his speech delivered last night.
The Gelang Patah MP says for Hadi’s “narrow, negative and divisive stand”, all the 11 PAS candidates “deserve to lose their deposits” tomorrow at the polls.
Hadi during his Sarawak campaign told his supporters PAS rejects DAP to govern the state, saying it believes the Borneo state's chief minister should only be a Muslim bumiputera.
