LIVE BLOG DAY 13 | It’s the final day of campaigning for the twin by-elections, and the opposition is banking on big names and mega ceramah to woo the voters one last time.
In Sungai Besar, both former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali will be there to support Amanah.
BN's programmes, however, are more muted in both Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar, with no grand finales planned thus far. All campaigning must end at midnight.
Follow our LIVE BLOG as the Malaysiakini team brings you the news as it takes place.
Go for roti telur, ditch nasi lemak
11.15pm: Jalan Dato Sagor, Jalan Kuala Kangsar - At the ceramah for Amanah here, Perak DAP chairperson Nga Kor Ming likens BN to nasi lemak and Pakatan Harapan as roti canai bertelur.
He tells voters to change their appetite.
Earlier, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang tells the people to make June 18 the beginning of the country's rebirth by building momentum for the next general election.
He says the whole world is watching the twin by-elections, which acts as a referrendum, due to the 1MDB scandal.
Thus, he says voters have the responsibility to save the reputation of Malaysia.
DAP announces RM5,440 donation from the crowd.
At 11.45pm, the emcee calls for the crowd to sing the national anthem as a symbolic gesture to save Malaysia before the event ended.
BN crowd outshines Amanah in Sg Besar
11.15pm Pasir Panjang, Sg Besar: Over 1,000 BN campaign workers, mostly women, are packed into the hall of the coalition's command centre to hear the last speech before the end of the campaign period.
The last speaker of the night, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, urges them to continue working hard tomorrow, and not rest until polls close at 5pm.
"If you want to sleep after 5, then sleep, replenish your sleep. If you want to sleep forever then do it," he quips to the crowd's amusement.
In comparison, only about 300 people are attending Pakatan Harapan's final ceramah, which featured opposition big wigs including Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali.
There is also a separate crowd of some 600 people attending a DAP organised concert in Sekinchan.
Modest turnout at Amanah's Kuala Kangsar finale
10.30pm: Jalan Dato Sagor, Kuala Kangsar - The crowd continues to pour in despite the rain at Amanah's grand ceramah, which is largely spearheaded by DAP.
As the rain stops, the crowd doubles to 800 as compared an hour ago.
The DAP emcee claims a crowd of 2,500 people.
This is the second best turnout since the Super Saturday ceramah on June 11 which saw a crowd of around 1,000 people.
The turnout has been modest throughout the campaign period, attracting between 300 to 500 people on weekdays.
Taking the stage, Perak DAP’s Ngeh Koo Ham tells the crowd he is oconfident Amanah's candidate Ahmad Termizi Ramli will win tomorrow.
Former PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution and Pakatan Harapan secretariat chief secretary Saifuddin Abdullah urge the crowd to choose the new politics that is championed by Harapan.
The new politics, they say, treats all the races as family members.
MCA woos crowd with Taiwanese singer
9.30pm: Sungai Besar - MCA holds its own do for BN at a temple in Sekinchan.
It hosts a concert featuring Taiwanese singer On Li-you who serenades the crowd with his songs to a crowd of some 600 people, mostly senior citizens.
While he performs, pictures of BN Sungai Besar by-election candidate Budiman Mohd Zohdi is displayed on the big screen.
Meanwhile, DAP too has its own do to lobby support for Amanah.
The party hosts a ceramah under the service centre of Sekinchan state assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim.
The speakers include DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo. Some 400 people are present.
Ambiga says scandals in M’sia happen on daily basis
9.00pm: Jalan Dato Sagor, Kuala Kangsar - National Humam Right Society president S Ambiga urges the people in Kuala Kangsar to vote for Malaysian.
“Tomorrow, you will be the most important people in Kuala Kangsar.
“Do not just vote for the people in Kuala Kangsar, vote for Malaysians,” she says at the main DAP ceramah.
Citing the the “missing” ransom of the Sibu hostages, she says scandals in Malaysia happened on a daily basis.
She tells the crowd that she supports Amanah’s candidate as the party supports the Citizens’ Declaration.
At 9pm, some 400 have turned up at the DAP’s biggest ceramah despite rain.
From observation, the roadside is parked with lots of outstation cars.
DAP Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong says Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will be removed by Umno if Amanah candidates win.
Azmin hints at Hari Raya bonus
7pm: Sungai Nipah, Sungai Besar - Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali today hints that a higher Hari Raya bonus payout may be in the cards for all state civil servants.
In his speech at a breaking fast function with state civil servants in Sungai Besar, Azmin says he does not want to make any official announcement, so as not to influence the outcome of polling day tomorrow.
“Last year the state reserves were only RM3.3 billion but we gave out a one month bonus.
“This year the state finance officer said our reserves have increased to RM4.1 billion,” he noted.
Azmin further teases the crowd with a promise that the amount would be more than one month.
“If with a RM3.1 billion reserve (you) get one month bonus, if RM4.1 billion I don’t have the answer yet.
“But for sure the amount is more than before because I don’t believe in ‘then, now and forever’. Can’t be in the past is one month and now is also one month,” he said, taking a jab at Barisan Nasional’s motto.
Farmers take home kitchen appliances after attending a programme
6pm: SK Ghandi, Kuala Kangsar – A few dozens farmers receive kitchen appliances after attending 'Let's Farm' programme at the school.
"This is given by the Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry," says an attendee.
"Deputy minister Tajuddin (Abdul Rahman) was here, but he left," he said.
"Only farmers receive these appliances," says a woman who takes away a blender from a truck carrying loads of electrical appliances parked outside the road.
Besides blenders, the people also take away ovens.
At press time, Malaysiakini is still trying to get Tajuddin's comment.
Cars spotted bearing BN and PAS flags
6.30pm: Sg Besar - PAS' leadership may deny joining forces with BN but it's clear some people think otherwise.
On its way to a breaking fast event in town, Malaysiakini drives past two cars along the Sungai Besar main road, bearing both BN and PAS flags
The two sides have grown closer since PAS' exit from Pakatan Rakyat, although the Islamist party insists they will only work together on things that are good for the public.
Jamal told to back away from main stage
5.30pm: KOMP1T Hotel, Sg Besar - Jamal Md Yunos withdraws from the 'main stage' at the official Communications and Multimedia Ministry media centre here, after being informed it is only for ministers and deputy ministers.
Malaysiakini understands a media centre staff told the Sungai Besar Umno division chief he is not able to hold a press conference with the ministry's logo as the backdrop.
This is to ensure that no other party leaders who are not part of the Cabinet, request to hold their press conference there.
Jamal proceeds to move out of the official press conference room and speaks outside.
EC expects 75 pct voter turnout tomorrow
5pm: Kuala Kangsar - The Election Commission expects a 75 percent voter turnout in both by-elections tomorrow, Bernama reports.
Its chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hashim Abdullah says the percentage would likely rise if voters living outside returned home to vote.
"EC urges all voters to fulfil their responsibility. Voting is a priority in upholding democracy and choosing leaders," he is quoted saying.
Mohd Hashim says the polling centres will open at 8am and close at 5pm, while the results of both by-elections would be announced by 9pm.
He says any employer who prevents their workers from going out to vote can be taken action against, under Section 25(3) of the Election Offences Act 1954, which carries a fine of not more that RM5,000 or one year in jail.
Muhyiddin not campaigning for Amanah, says aide
3pm: Pasir Panjang, Sg Besar - An aide to Muhyiddin Yassin denies the former deputy prime minister is in town to campaign for Amanah's Azhar Abdul Shukur.
He, however, confirms the sacked Umno deputy president was at the Pasir Panjang market this morning and later went for Friday prayers.
"He was walking on his own," the aide tells Malaysiakini.
Amanah in a Facebook posting today claims Muhyiddin's presence is to support its candidate on the last day of campaigning.
It also claims Muhyiddin is campaigning with Gabungan Ketua Cawangan Malaysia (GKCM).
GKCM vice-president Rushdan Mohamed tells Malaysiakini: "He (Muhyiddin) didn't say anything, but people will understand.
"When he comes, it means he supports the Amanah candidate."
Rain foils Dr M's bazaar blitz
2.30pm: Kampung Sg Limau, Sg Besar - Friday prayers at a local mosque is Mahathir's last stop in Sungai Besar today, after the heavens opened up and rained on his parade.
Mahathir was supposed to go on a walkabout at a Ramadan bazaar here to promote Amanah candidate Azhar Shukur, before the weather forced him to cancel his plans.
Why bash our orange, we don't mock your nightgowns, Amanah tells PAS
11.15am: Amanah HQ, Kuala Kangsar - Amanah simply does not understand why PAS continues to attack it.
Most recently, Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah on Wednesday ridiculed Amanah for choosing the colour orange, which he said was similar to the saffron attire of priests.
“Why care if we want to wear an orange shirt or a yellow shirt? We don’t question them for wearing green," says Perak Amanah chief Asmuni Awi.
“We don’t question them for wearing jubah (robes) which sometimes look like nightgowns,” he says.
Asmuni says what is important is that the attire is not menjolok mata (revealing).
On PAS members who mock the party’s initials “PAN” by comparing it to a cooking pan, Asmuni hits back, saying it is just “childish politics”.
“If this is the situation, I don’t know how (they) can survive in Malaysian politics which is getting more open,” he says.
BN candidates will only by yes-men, says Mahathir
12pm: Sekinchan, Sg Besar – Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad warns voters here that BN candidates will only be yes-men to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.
"If they only say yayayaya, then what's the point. Might as well elect a singer," he quips.
Mahathir is here today to campaign one last time for Amanah's Azhar Shukur.
BN Sg Besar billboards 'red-faced' with paint
9.30am: Sungai Besar - At least two posters of BN candidate Budiman Mohd Zohdi have been defaced with red paint.
In both posters sighted by Malaysiakini along the road from Sungai Besar to Sekinchan, paint completely obscures Budiman's face.
Campaign posters are few and far apart here, with most parties relying more on flags to create an election atmosphere.
