GE14 LIVE DAY 2 | The countdown to the 14th general election starts with the second day of campaigning.
Follow our live blog as the Malaysiakini team brings you the news as it takes place.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Despite Tian Chua’s exit, BN rep vows to go all out to win Batu
- Caretaker Johor MB pledges to create extra leadership position for Sabahans
- 10 Kedah PAS Supporters' Wing leaders join Amanah
- Jamal 'thankful' for one less thorn with Zahid's ex-staff defection
- BN candidate's banners found burnt
- Puad makes peace with BN, helps with campaign
- Penang fishermen state demands while hillslope residents grill candidates
- Bersih: Nominations fiascos ‘disgraceful start’ to GE
- DAP cries double standards after EC removes 'Rosmah' billboard
- Off the blocks, Najib opens early fire on Dr M
11.59pm: We've ceased live updates for Day 2 of the campaigning period in the lead up to the "mother of all polls". Follow us tomorrow for our live blog on Day 3.
Kedah PAS deputy chief on 10 Amanah defectors: 'I'm not shocked at all'
10.30pm: Kedah - When contacted, Kedah PAS deputy chief Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor (photo) says the group of PAS Supporters' Wing members that joined Amanah tonight have not been active in the last five years.
"Kedah PAS is not surprised because even early on, they (the 10 members) only befriended the Kedah Amanah chief who is also the former Kedah PAS interracial relations chief.
"PAS has earned the trust of Chinese, Indian, and Siamese communities without them since five year ago.
"I'm not shocked at all. They can claim whatever they want from Amanah after this," he tells Malaysiakini in a text message.
Despite Tian Chua’s exit, BN rep vows to go all out to win Batu
10pm: Batu, Kuala Lumpur - Even with the surprise disqualification of two-term Batu MP Tian Chua, BN candidate Dominic Lau pledges to continue doing his best to win over local voters.
"Whether Tian Chua is coming in or not, we are going all out to win in Batu.
"Even though Tian Chua is not contesting, we won't underestimate any candidates here (in Batu) from PAS and the two independents," Lau told reporters when met after a ceramah at Kampung Selayang Lama, Taman Selayang Baru, Batu Caves.
The Gerakan vice-president, who lost to Tian Chua in the previous general election, had earlier told the crowd of about 40 residents (photo) to give BN a chance after 10 years.
Lau points out that despite living close to the city centre, residents of Kampung Selayang Lama are largely from lower to middle-income groups and would benefit from greater access to public transportation.
"For your information, the MRT did not fall from the sky.
"It was the BN leaders who went and asked, who went and begged, only then there could be an MRT that passed through here," said Lau.
He was referring to the Kampung Batu MRT station on the upcoming Sungai Buloh-Serdang-Putrajaya line, which is scheduled for completion in 2021.
PKR’s Kedah transplant Gooi assures Penangites of local credentials
9.20pm: Taman Mangga, Bukit Tengah - About 300 people showed up at a remote area in Bukit Tengah, where PKR’s Gooi Hsiao Leung (photo) explained that although he had left his parliamentary seat in Alor Setar to come and contest here, he was a true-blue "Penang kia" (Penang son).
The Bukit Tengah state seat candidate wooed the audience with his mastery of three languages - Malay, Hokkien and Tamil. The crowd cheered when he said "Defend Penang, Save Malaysia" in Tamil.
Bukit Tengah is deemed a tough seat for Harapan, with Gooi facing a five-corner fight.
Various local issues such as land rights, housing issues and some residents’ dislike of an immigration detention camp and proposed migrant workers hostel in their vicinity will feature in this campaign.
His strongest contender would be BN's candidate Dr Thor Teong Gee, an easy-going and friendly doctor from Gerakan.
Besides Gooi, DAP’s Batu Kawan candidate P Kasthurirani, Sungai Puyu candidate Phee Boon Poh and Padang Lalang candidate Chong Eng also spoke at the event, and explained Harapan's welfare policies in Penang.
Earlier, the crowd joined a brief anti-GST rally, carrying placards and waving PKR flags.
Caretaker Johor MB pledges to create leadership position for Sabahans
9pm: Pasir Gudang, Johor - Caretaker Johor menteri besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin (photo) has promised to create an additional leadership position for the local Sabahan diaspora, should he win in the next general election.
He says the Johor BN government takes care of the Sabahan diaspora in Johor with an open heart, adding that Bangsa Johor welcomes everyone, including the Sabah and Sarawak diaspora in Pasir Gudang.
"As menteri besar, I fight for the Sabahan community, for which I created a community leader for Sabahans and Sarawakians (in Johor)...
"If I win, I will create another leadership position for Sabahans," Khaled tells a 500-strong crowd in Bukit Dahlia, which cheers Khaled Nordin’s announcement.
Johor already has an appointed Sabah community leader, which is a salaried position paid for by the state government.
Khaled quipped that since Parti Warisan Sabah did not have a presence in Johor, the audience should support him instead.
It is estimated that 20,000 East Malaysians reside in Pasir Gudang, with 1,664 Sabahan bumiputra and 1,748 Sarawakian bumiputra registered as Pasir Gudang voters.
As BN won Pasir Gudang with less than a 1,000-vote majority in the previous general election, it is essential for Khaled to win the support of every local community. He is contesting the parliamentary seat of Pasir Gudang and state seat of Permas.
10 Kedah PAS Supporters' Wing leaders join Amanah
9pm: Derga, Pokok Sena - Shortly after Amanah president Mohamad Sabu arrives at the ceramah at Taman Derga Jaya in the suburbs of Alor Setar, a group of ten Kedah PAS Supporters Wing (DHPP) leaders hand him their membership forms to join Amanah on stage.
The delegation is led by former Kedah DHPP secretary William Khor. In a brief speech, he said PAS has become more and more "defective" (semakin rosak).
Based on a list read by an emcee, four members of the group are state-level leaders, while the rest are divisional leaders.
By now, the crowd has swelled to about 600 people.
Jamal 'thankful' for one less thorn with Zahid's ex-staff defection
8.30pm: Sekinchan, Selangor - Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Md Yunos says he is “thankful” that a former Umno man, Muslimin Yahya, is now contesting the parliamentary seat as a Bersatu candidate for Harapan.
“If Bersatu did not take him, he will create problems for BN. We see people like this as ‘duri dalam daging’ (a thorn in the flesh).
“They (Bersatu) think a candidate like this can influence voters but their prediction is far from the truth.
“We are not worried at all because we know the loyalty of our Umno members, and also the loyalty of voters whom we previously met,” Jamal told Malaysiakini when asked after holding a press conference here.
Muslimin was on the committee of Umno Sungai Besar before he defected to the Harapan component party last Wednesday.
Prior to that, it is understood that he had been put forth as a candidate for the Sungai Panjang state seat.
He has since been replaced by Jamal’s lawyer, Imran Tamrin.
Several PAS supporters to defect to Amanah, says Mahfuz
8.25pm: Derga, Pokok Sena - Several PAS Supporters Wing (DHPP) members will be defecting to Amanah at a ceramah here in Taman Derga Jaya tonight, says Amanah Pokok Sena candidate Mahfuz Omar (photo).
They will be handing over their membership forms to party leader Mohamad Sabu later during the event, he says.
"I congratulate them, and I believe more will come and we will be making announcements in every parliamentary constituency where DHPP leaders defect to Harapan leaders, especially Amanah," he says.
About 500 predominantly ethnic Chinese attendees (photo) are present at the ceramah.
Nong Chik crosses path with Fahmi in Bangsar
7.20pm: Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur - Both BN and PKR Lembah Pantai candidates Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin and Fahmi Fadzil are canvassing for support at the Bangsar night market.
They eventually meet and greet each other (photo) in a jovial manner. Media personnel present asks for a picture and the duo gladly held raised hands.
PKR has held the Lembah Pantai seat for two terms but now faces a real risk of losing it following the redelineation exercise.
In the last general election, Raja Nong Chik was narrowly defeated, garnering 29,161 votes to PKR's Nurul Izzah Anwar's 31,008 votes. Nurul Izzah will be contesting in Permatang Pauh in this election.
'BN has given a lot to Penampang'
6.45pm: Penampang, Sabah - In a separate programme, BN’s candidate for Penampang Ceasar Mandela Malakun says he has seen how BN leaders have worked hard for the people in the area in the last five years.
“Even though they (BN leaders) don’t hold posts as state representatives or MP, they will be the first ones to help when there are problems.
“Without waiting for allocation, we in BN always look for solutions to help those in need.”
Mandela (photo) says it is their culture to “look for solutions”.
“There’s no use to complain and to slander if we don’t look for solutions to the problem.”
He further laments those who like to make an issue out of small things.
“We can see how the government has given a lot to the people here in Penampang.
“Penampang being victimised? It’s not true. This is nothing but to play with the people’s sentiments.
“The people of Penampang know what the government has given.”
Azmin treats constituents to tea
6.30pm: AU3 Keramat, Selangor - Caretaker Selangor menteri besar Azmin Ali is treated like a rock star at his Gombak parliamentary seat, where he is hosting a high tea event for 300 residents at AU3, a Harapan stronghold.
The residents warmly greet him, hug him and take selfies with him (photo).
They are treated to a simple meal of mee hoon and teh tarik, and appear to be in high spirits, booing whenever Azmin slams the government and caretaker prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.
Mohd Hamid, who is a lecturer at a public university, shows up to thank Azmin for providing RM3,000 in tuition fees for him to pursue a master’s degree at the National Academy of Arts, Culture, and Heritage (Aswara).
"That was the fees for my first semester, but my family was broke and nobody could help me with funding.
"So, I wrote to him (Azmin) and he agreed to help…Without this, I would not be here today," says the 30-year-old, who brought along his wife and baby.
BN candidate's banners found burnt
6.30pm: Pulau Tikus, Penang: BN's Pulau Tikus candidate Jason Loo lodges police report over his election banners in two locations which were discovered burnt.
Loo claims the banners which were put up along Gurney Drive were torched by unknown suspects.
However, police said the billboards were not set on fire, but the tree beside the campaign material was.
"There were no CCTV from the nearby hotel or from Penang Island City Council which could show the incident.
"There were no witnesses who can help identify the suspects and no damages recorded.
"However, we are on alert and will monitor the situation," the police said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Loo also lodged a police report over his burnt billboards on Jalan Kelawai.
At a press conference earlier, he claimed he was "sabotaged" by unknown quarters.
Police said the incident may have occured in the morning, but they were also no CCTVs or witnesses to obtain further information regarding the incident.
"A witness from a Hindu temple where the incident took place had no information on the matter.
"We will continue to monitor the situation and increase our surveillance along Jalan Gurney, Jalan Kelawai and Jalan Burma," the police said.
A friendly PAS-Bersatu encounter in Pasir Panjang
5:30pm: Kampung Parit 9, Pasir Panjang, Sekinchan - Evening markets are a popular place for election campaigning and the picturesque Parit 9 pasar petang sees two of the three candidates gunning for the Sungai Besar parliamentary seat cross paths.
Bersatu’s Muslimin Yahya (extreme right in photo) reacts with pleasant surprise as he happens to come face-to-face with PAS’ Mohamed Salleh Husin (centre in photo), an old friend.
They pat each other on the back and shake hands as they wish each other all the best for their campaigns. Their supporters chat and everyone is friendly.
The political dynamics in this Malay kampung have changed dramatically not just since the last election, but also in the past week. Once part of opposition pact Pakatan Rakyat, PAS is now contesting the seat as a party on its own.
Up until last Wednesday, Muslimin was an long-time Umno man before entering Bersatu at the eleventh hour and later receiving his nomination certificate for the seat.
As Muslimin and Mohamed Salleh split and go on their respective walkabouts, a BN truck patrols up and down the evening market, blasting BN’s song from large speakers, despite the absence of the party’s candidates at the market.
Puad makes peace with BN, helps with campaign
5pm: Batu Pahat, Johor - Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi makes peace with BN, helping its Senggarang candidate Zaidi Japar to campaign.
This follows several days of tirades against certain Umno leaders, particularly caretaker Johor menteri besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin, after Puad became upset at being dropped as the Batu Pahat candidate for BN.
"My stance is to move forward. My children and wife are also happy with my decision.
"That is why today I'd like to make sure that we are working to help Zaidi and BN win in this area," he is quoted by saying by Utusan Malaysia.
Warisan deputy glad all candidates ‘brought their ICs’
3.50pm: Penampang, Sabah - Speaking to reporters, Warisan’s Darell Leiking explains it was his decision not to contest in a state seat.
"It was not that the party did not want to field me in a state seat, it's that we have to sacrifice a lot of our seats to our electoral partners, PKR and DAP.
"One of the state seats I was slotted for, the seat (Darau) was not approved in Parliament,” he says, adding he was not comfortable with the other seats proposed to him.
"(While) other (seats) would be farfetched, as it would compromise the negotiations with our electoral parties, he said."
Despite this, the party's president Mohd Shafie Apdal even offered Leiking other seats.
"He always feels I should go, he even offered me another seat just before nomination. But I still stick to my decision," he says.
3.10pm: Penampang, Sabah - Parti Warisan Sabah deputy president Darell Leiking says he is happy that none of the party's candidates were rejected during the nomination process yesterday.
"No one forgot to bring their identification card or their watikah (nomination) letters," he jokes, to laughter from those present at a programme here today.
PKR's Wangsa Maju candidate Tan Yee Kew nearly missed filing her nominations when she forgot to bring her IC yesterday.
Earlier, Warisan secretary-general Loretto Padua Jr admitted that BN candidate for Penampang, Caesar Mandela Malakun is their friend.
"With due respect, Mandela is my friend, he's our friend but if you think he's good, his party is not good.
"It's a waste because there are many leaders in Sabah who are not on good platforms. So choose the good (party).”
Tg Bungah fishermen state demands
2.30pm: Tanjung Tokong, Penang - The Coastal Fishermen Group of Penang Island is holding a press conference to announce their 11 demands for GE14.
The group are represented by fishermen from the Paramount Hotel area, Gurney Drive, Tanjung Tokong and Tanjung Bungah.
Their demands cover the issues recognition, justice, safety and environment.
So far, candidates for Tanjung Bungah Teng Chang Yeow (BN), Chua Cheong Wee (PRM) and Lee Zheng Yong (Parti Bersama Malaysia) are present at the event.
We’re not BN agents, says PBDSB
2pm: Sri Aman, Sarawak - Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) says that it will only contest one seat in Sarawak to allow for “straight fights” in Dayak-majority areas.
For the sake of Dayak unity, PBDSB says, it will give way to Harapan in other Dayak-majority seats and will focus on Sri Aman, where president Cobbold John Lusoi is set to stand.
“We are doing this for the sake of Dayak unity and spirit and also for the sake of Dayak candidates in the Harapan coalition.
“We are also doing this to avoid implications and accusations that PBDSB is a BN-agent to split opposition votes in the election,” it says in a statement.
Not from us, says Azmin as angpows given out
1pm: Taman Sri Gombak, Selangor - Caretaker Selangor menteri besar and Gombak candidate Mohamed Azmin Ali witnesses two mock checques worth RM30,000 being issued at an event in the parliamentary constituency. The event also sees around 50 kids receiving 'angpow' onstage.
Azmin is quick to clarify that the funding is not from the caretaker state government, but from private entity Koperasi Iman Malaysia Berhad.
"Koperasi Iman Malaysia is very much involved in economic activities, but at the same time they are conducting some social programmes. So, now they are giving away some education donation for the children of welfare homes.
"I am here just to witness the ceremony, and I am giving the state's support to any organisation that also contributes to the development of social programme.
He jokingly says that he cannot "claim credit" for the 'angpow', as the money is not from the caretaker state government.
MCA candidates feted at Hindu ceremony
12.30pm: Alor Setar, Kedah - BN-MCA candidates for Alor Setar and Kota Darul Aman, Yew Wei How and Tan Eng Hwa join over a hundred devotees at the annual Chitra Pournami celebrations at the Sri Muniswarar Temple in Alor Semadom, Alor Setar.
The festival is dedicated to the Hindu god Chitragupta, who is believed to record the good and bad deeds of people. Yew and Tan, along with several others, are presented with a garland.
“Many approvals had been obtained from BN this year. With that, it is hoped that all those present will lend their support to BN candidates this election,” an emcee said prior the presentation of garlands.
Speaking to Malaysiakini later, Alor Setar MIC chief K Manaim clarifies that the application was to build a new temple but it is still pending.
The temple’s secretary Balakrishnan Vellasamy says that MCA representatives regularly attend the annual festival at the temple, not just during elections.
Leave family ties out of politics, urges Amanah candidate
12.42pm: Pontian, Johor - Amanah's Taqiuddin Cheman, Harapan candidate for the state seat of Pulai Sebatang, congratulates his father on the latter being named PAS candidate for Sungai Balang.
In a Facebook posting, he says that he was moved to tears by an except of an article from Sinar Harian that was sent to him, in which his father, Cheman Yusoh, praised him despite their party differences.
Taqiuddin calls his leaving PAS for Amanah the most difficult decision of his life, arrived at after a month of deliberation.
This was party due to his being involved in the party from a young age, spurred by his father bringing him to ceramah when he was a child.
He also clarifies that these is no bad blood in the family due to his decision to trade PAS for Amanah.
"Father understands my decision. In our family, my younger brother also left PAS to join Amanah. Mother also blessed the decision," he explains.
The Amanah leader stresses that it is bad enough that different sections of society are spilt apart due to political differences, let alone those who would attempt to split families apart to satiate their "political desires."
Bersih: Nominations fiascos ‘disgraceful start’ to GE
11.10am: Petaling Jaya, Selangor - Election watchdog Bersih holds a press conference with disqualified Harapan candidates PKR vice-president Tian Chua (Batu) and S Streram (Rantau).
Bersih acting chairperson Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari highlights Chua's disqualification and Streram's claims that he was prevented from filing his nomination papers in Rantau, as examples of a "disgraceful start" to the 14th general election.
"It is a disgraceful start where candidates are denied their constitutional right to be nominated and voters denied their right to the choices of candidates arbitrarily and unlawfully by the EC," says Shahrul Aman.
He also highlights a third case where Bersih finds that the Election Commission had "acted with bias" in regards to accepting the nomination of BN's candidate for the Ketari state seat in Pahang, Lau Hoi Keong.
‘Can Teng speak up against Najib?’
11.00am, Tanjung Bungah, Penang – DAP’s Zairil Khir Johari asks his rival for the Tanjung Bungah state seat, Penang BN chief Teng Chang Yeow, whether he dares stand up to caretaker prime minister Najib Abdul Razak on GST and 1MDB.
Zairil was responding to Teng labelling him the “blue-eyed boy” of caretaker Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng, and questioning whether he dared to voice out the concerns of constituents.
“Teng may call me whatever he wants, but I can categorically state that I have no problems voicing out the concerns of the people, as I have been doing precisely that for the last five years as (incumbent) MP for Bukit Bendera.
“However, I would like to ask Teng whether he really dares to voice the concerns of the people to his own boss, Najib.
“Does Teng dare to stand up to Najib and voice the biggest concerns of millions of Malaysians, including Tanjung Bungah residents, who reject GST and 1MDB?” he asked in a statement today.
To show how the GST has caused cost of living to spiral, Zairil pointed to the drop in sales for hypermarket chain Mydin over the past year, and even repeated a constituent’s lament of being unable to have more children despite working two jobs.
Like all Malaysians, he added, Tanjung Bungah residents are also concerned about the implications of the 1MDB financial scandal, which he says has left the country with massive debts.
Penang hillslope critics grill candidates
10.30am: Batu Ferringhi, Penang - Residents of a condominium at Miami Green gather to bring their plight to the Tanjung Bungah candidates - Zairil Khir Johari (Pakatan Harapan), Teng Chang Yeow (BN), Chua Cheong Wee (PRM) and Lee Zheng Yong (PBM, Parti Bersama Malaysia).
Tanjung Bungah falls under the Bukit Bendera parliament constituency. BN's Bukit Bendera candidate Andy Yong is present.
The residents are complaining about a hillslope development involving 869 units, eight blocks and a density 101 units behind their condominium.
They are concerned over erosion and blasting, resulting in landslides, flyrocks and rock fall and storm water that poses dangers to the condominium.
Condominium resident representative Johnny Gan say they want to find a solution to the problem from those who will represent them after GE14.
Aziz Noor from Global Sdn Bhd, a private environmental and geotechnology consulting firm, and A Rajan from the Penang Island City Council are at the meeting.
"The project is proposed in an environmentally sensitive area with disaster risk under Penang Structure Plan 2020 where it is clearly stated that no form of development shall be allowed," says Aziz.
Aziz reminds the candidates of the Tanjung Bungah landslide last year that killed 11, and the Highland Towers collapsed in Bukit Antarabangsa in the 1990s that killed 48.
"Allowing the project means a violation of the existing development rules, putting lives of people in danger and gambling with their lives. There is clear and eminent danger of hillslope failure risks.
“We must not compromise the safety of the public," he says.
MBPP has yet to approve the planning permission and commencement of the project, and a work order has not been granted.
Penang Forum's outspoken representative Lim Mah Hui is also among the residents.
Gerakan chief sells chicken at the market
10am: Teluk Intan, Perak - Gerakan Teluk Intan candidate Mah Siew Keong and Umno Changkat Jong state seat candidate Mohd Azhar Jamaluddin visit the "Jualan Sentuhan Murah" in Taman Nanas, Teluk Intan.
The daily supplies sold at the Jualan include cooking oil, flour, chicken, rice and so on, which is attracting many of Teluk Intan’s residents to come to shop.
For a while, Mah also helps to sell some chickens at the request of the hawkers and the shoppers. Chicken is sold for RM7, which is cheaper than the RM12 market price.
Mah says this is the fifth time Jualan Sentuhan Rakyat is held in the recent two months.
"It has received good response because household stuff and daily supplies are much cheaper than market price, and helps al lot of people," Mah says.
DAP cries double standards after EC removes 'Rosmah' billboard
10am, Ayer Hitam, Johor – DAP Johor chief Liew Chin Tong has taken aim at the Election Commission taking down a billboard poster featuring an image of Rosmah Mansor, asking if it has the added responsibility of protecting the wife of caretaker prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.
In a Facebook post yesterday, he said authorities wanting to take down a billboard which says “A vote for Wee Ka Siong is a vote for Najib and Rosmah” in Ayer Hitam, where he is set to face off against the MCA deputy president.
“EC wants to take down a poster which says a vote for Wee Ka Siong is a vote for Najib and Rosmah on the basis that Rosmah is not a candidate.
“It is not known whether the EC has an added responsibility of protecting Rosmah,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
Last week, the EC announced new regulations for campaign materials, which among others states that only the images of the party president and deputy can appear alongside that of the candidate.
Today, he took to Facebook to criticise the EC for apparent double standards, pointing to an MCA billboard featuring an image of China president Xi Jinping.
"Out stand is clear. The photo has no negative impact towards Najib and Rosmah.
"Peraturan tambahan (added regulations of the) EC has no force of law. We have not breached any law. The returning officer must explain the reason to remove (the poster).
"Double standards, MCA is allowed to put Xi Jin Ping photo," he wrote.
Off the blocks, Najib opens early fire on Dr M
7.40am: Twitterjaya - Umno president Najib Abdul Razak starts off the day with a morning tweet lambasting former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's new-found alliance with his former deputy Anwar Ibrahim.
In the tweet, Najib repeats his remarks from four days ago that Mahathir was a "number one actor".
"In the past he made incredible attacks against Anwar. I can't even repeat it. But recently he coolly went to court (to see Anwar) like nothing happened. Actor number one!"
