GE14 LIVE DAY 9 | It's Day 9 of the 14th general election campaign period, and there are just three days to go before polling day.
Follow our live blog as the Malaysiakini team brings you the news as it takes place.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Elderly man insists on having photo taken with Dr M
- ‘We want to topple the thief's government’
- Harapan 'so close' to winning GE14, says Muhyiddin
- Harapan leaders vouch for Batu independent candidate
- Rais receives a heroic welcome in former constituency
- We will take over the country 'peacefully' after winning GE14, says Mat Sabu
- More than 10,000-strong at Harapan rally in Gombak
- Ex-Gerakan leader stumps for Harapan
- Najib tempted, but holds back from sniping back at Dr M
- BN event empty, past starting time
- Rafidah recalls her foray into Umno to Bangsar crowd
- Muar folk boo 'absent' incumbent MP at debate
- BN lines up a bike, fridge in lucky draw at concert
- Mother of Lembah Pantai hopeful rallies support for son
- Incumbent Muar MP proposes closed-door debate with Syed Saddiq
- Vets pledge support for Harapan
- Syed Saddiq vows to proceed with debate
11.59pm: Thank you for following our live updates for Day 9 of the campaigning period in the lead up to the May 9 polls. Follow us again tomorrow for Day 10.
Elderly man insists on having photo taken with Dr M
11.45pm: Gombak, Selangor - At the time the Pakatan Harapan chairperson finishes his speech, the leaders on stage stand together to thank the crowd.
An elderly man then stands up and insists on having a photo taken with Mahathir, upon which point, party workers lift him up to the stage.
The same man was earlier seen shouting and demanding the organiser to give him five minutes to speak his mind.
The event ends with Harapan songs played and supporters rush to the stage to shake hands with the coalition's leaders.
"Just shake hands, don't pull," warns a concerned bodyguard of Mahathir.
11.45pm: Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur - Harapan candidate for the Lembah Pantai parliamentary seat Fahmi Fadzil tells the crowd of over 1,000 people who attend his ceramah tonight that he has learnt a lot over the last nine days of campaigning.
In the beginning, Fahmi says his rival from BN, former minister Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin, underestimated his chances as a first time contender.
"They used to think of me as a kitten. That's why they allowed me to stand in Lembah Pantai. If I was Tian Chua for sure I would have had it from them.
"But now, but now I think they have heard me roar!" he tells the cheering crowd gathered outside Bala's Banana Leaf restaurant in Bangsar.
Fahmi further recalls how he initially branded himself as David who is up against Goliath in the battle for Lembah Pantai.
"I said that I was David. But actually no.
"After nine days of campaigning, listening to voices of the people in Bangsar, in Pantai Dalam, in Sentosa... climbing up and down stairs at the flats, getting in and out of lifts, getting stuck in lifts..
"I understand that I am not David. You all are.
"I am but a stone. But I am your stone! And together, we will take down Goliath!," says the 37-year-old, who is also PKR communications director and a former actor.
The banana leaf restaurant overlooking Bangsar Village shopping centre here has been a popular stop for local politicians during this campaign period.
Its owner, Bala Krishnan, says he welcomes politicians from all parties. The restaurant also welcomed Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin recently.
"Inside the parliament they debate, but outside all of them (politicians) are okay with each other," he notes while observing the going ons from a chair set up outside his shop.
‘We want to topple the thief's government’
11.20pm: Gombak, Selangor - Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad praises the attendees at ‘Tsunami Rakyat’ who braved the downpour.
This shows the people really want to change the government, he says, adding that only cooperation between the people and Pakatan Harapan can oust the government.
"Why? We want to topple this thief's government. This is despite him (caretaker prime minister Najib Abdul Razak) calling himself a ‘Bugis warrior’," he says.
He urges the people to support Harapan on May 9 as the opposition wants to win big.
If it only win with razor-thin majority, he says there may be possibility the other side may resort to cheating.
Earlier, the emcee announces that as many as 70,000 netizens are watching the live stream of the ‘Tsunami Rakyat’ ceramah.
Praba can’t ‘play play’ anymore, says Tian Chua
11.15pm: Batu, Kuala Lumpur - Tian Chua, who has been disqualified from contesting in GE14, tells the people of Batu that he will continue to serve them and will help P Prabakaran if he wins in the election.
"Prabakaran told me that he didn't plan to win when he was nominated as candidate. However, I told him that now he can’t 'play play' anymore. He now has a heavy burden on his shoulders."
"BN wants to take away the Batu seat from PKR. but we need to tell him there is no way!"
Tian Chua leads the crowd to chant "No way, Barisan" repeatedly.
Prabakaran is seemingly improving his ceramah skills day by day. He says constituents are starting to warm to him.
"When I go and meet the people in Batu, everyone asks me the same question. ‘Why do you want to go into politics? You are so young, go study lah!"
"I answer that it is because I love Malaysia and I am disappointed with the system!" he says to applause and loud cheers.
Mahathir was absent at the ceramah in Taman Dato Senu due to the heavy traffic congestion. The crowd starts to disperse after Tian Chua and Prabakaran leave the field.
Harapan 'so close' to winning GE14, says Muhyiddin
10.44pm: Gombak, Selangor - Taking to the stage at the Tsunami Rakyat ceramah here, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin says the victory for Harapan in the election is "so close."
"This is the time-out for BN, there will be no more Umno, MCA and MIC, MCA 'si-liao' (died, hokkien)," he says to laughter from the more than 10,000-strong crowd.
Meanwhile, caretaker Selangor menteri besar Azmin Ali says the multiracial crowds that turned up today shows that the people are united.
He reiterates that the Malays should not feel threatened as Harapan will act fairly to all races.
Former Umno minister Rafidah Aziz says the 1MDB scandal has become a "best seller" around the world.
"So, if you ask me about the report card of BN for the last 10 years, it is an F," the veteran politician tells the crowd at Tsunami Rakyat ceramah at AU2 Keramat.
"With this result, there is no need for you to continue," she says.
Dr M cheered as he arrives in style
10.30pm: Gombak, Selangor - Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrives on a golf cart, and the crowd goes crazy by chanting "Hidup Tun" (long live Tun) and switched on torchlights and lights on their mobile phones to welcome him.
His wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali is also with him.
Earlier, Amanah candidate for the Chempaka state seat Nik Omar Nik Abdul Aziz urged the people to think about the future and the children.
"Give Harapan a chance to save the country," he said in a pre-recorded video clip.
Harapan leaders vouch for Batu independent candidate
10.28pm: Batu, Kuala Lumpur - A 1,000 strong crowd has gathered at Taman Dato Senu to pledge their support for Pakatan Harapan.
A line of top leaders appeared at the ceramah to back P Prabakaran - the independent candidate who was endorsed by the Harapan leadership after incumbent Batu MP Tian Chua was disqualified from defending his seat.
Elizabeth Wong, the candidate for Bukit Lanjan, urged the crowd to vote for the 'key' symbol to support Prabakaran.
"When we discussed with Prabakaran, we found that he wants a country that respects the youth," said Elizabeth.
"Let us vote for the key, let us use the open the door of future, and let us use the key to lock the thief in the jail! "
The crowd cheered loudly when Harapan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail arrived at the field. She gave a short speech and reminded the voters in Batu to choose the key symbol when they vote.
"Vote for the key in Batu, vote for the eye (PKR logo) in other areas!" said the PKR president
Rais receives a heroic welcome in former constituency
10.20pm: Titi, Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan - Rais Yatim has finally arrived in Titi for his first appearance at a Pakatan Harapan ceramah.
About 1,000 people have gathered at this Hakka-majority Chinese village.
He received a heroic welcome from the crowd upon his arrival.
Interestingly, he is still wearing a shirt with the 1Malaysia logo, a brainchild of caretaker prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, despite him facing a disciplinary action from Umno.
DAP Seremban incumbent MP Anthony Loke is still speaking on the stage. Rais will be the next speaker.
When Rais joined Semangat 46 in 1987, he also spoke at a DAP ceramah in Titi.
We will take over the country 'peacefully' after winning GE14, says Mat Sabu
10.10pm: Gombak, Selangor - Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir says he is confident that Pakatan Harapan will rule Kedah after the May 9 polls.
He tells a crowd of 5,000 at the 'Tsunami Rakyat' ceramah that chaos may occur in Umno, where some may run away with money, while others will pack their bags.
At this point, he reminds the people to not fall for racial issues raised by BN and not swayed by election goodies dished out by the coalition.
Meanwhile, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu urges the inspector-general of police and armed forces chief to accept the imminent defeat of BN.
"We will take over the country peacefully," he says.
5,000-strong in Gombak as Mukhriz arrives
10.03 pm - Gombak, Selangor - Bersatu deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir arrives at the 'Tsunami Rakyat' ceramah in a golf cart.
The crowd grows to over 5,000 despite the bad weather.
However, they are upset at media personnel who are forced to stand in front of the stage due to the wet field following a downpour.
"Sit down," they keep chanting angrily.
Ex-Gerakan leader stumps for Harapan
10pm: Ayer Hitam, Johor - Former Gerakan deputy secretary-general Lee Kah Choon stumps for Pakatan Harapan in Ayer Hitam.
He speaks out against the GST.
"Each year, according to government calculation, the people have to pay RM42 billion in GST. This is a large sum," he tells some 400 people present.
Only those with umbrellas fill the seat due to rain while another crowd on the sidelines stand under a shed.
Lee was previously named as one of three candidates for the position of Penang chief minister if BN won the state in 2008. However, it was defeated in the state.
Lee quit Gerakan in the same year after his party took issue with his appointment in a Penang government-linked company.
Najib tempted, but holds back from sniping back at Dr M
10pm: Penampang, Sabah - In a programme here tonight, caretaker prime minister Najib Abdul Razak addressed Mahathir's criticisms against him and says he can likewise criticise Mahathir on a personal level if he wants to.
"I will not go down to his level, although I feel geram (tempted to) at times.
"But I control my geram. I will let the rakyat decide who is the better choice as Malaysia's prime minister in the next five years."
Najib in his speech tonight also claims how Mahathir does not love the people of Sabah and has failed to do much for Sabahans in the past.
BN event empty, past starting time
9:45pm: Kuala Langat, Selangor - It has been more than an hour past the official starting time but BN’s 'Kuala Langat roadshow' concert has yet to begin.
Many of the 500 chairs and 500 tables are still empty.
The audience members are helping themselves to packs of nasi lemak and fried noodles, some taking more than one pack.
Sixty-two-year-old Misliah Mohd Tahir says she has come tonight to “support BN”, and meet the party’s Kuala Langat candidate Shahril Hamdan in person.
Her 25-year-old daughter Nurulzila Sanin interjects and says “he is so handsome!”, breaking into a giggle.
Rafidah recalls her foray into Umno to Bangsar crowd
9.15pm: Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur - Former minister Rafidah Aziz shares a light moment with some 1,000 supporters of Harapan's Lembah Pantai candidate Fahmi Fadzil during a ceramah outside Bala's Banana Leaf restaurant tonight.
"There's a history to my being here. When I was in my 20s, my eldest daughter was only three...now she is going to be 51.
"His grandmother, who was my mother's contemporary and very good friend living in Kampung Melayu Petaling Jaya, was the Ketua Wanita Umno Petaling Jaya," she recalls.
"She (Fahmi's grandmother) used to see me at my mother's house, (and one day) she asks, 'Masuk Umno tak?' (Are you joining Umno). I said 'tak lah Mak Tua... (No, grandmother).
"So she inducted me (into Umno) until one day I became her vice-chief. Can you imagine that? I was the vice-chief to his grandmother," says Rafidah who was sacked from Umno on Friday following her criticisms of the party.
"When Fahmi asked me to come tonight I said I should go lah, (because of) his grandma kan?" she says to cheers from the crowd.
At one point, the crowd boos as a group of over 30 motorcyclists with riders carrying Umno flags rev their engines along the outside road.
Muar folk boo 'absent' incumbent MP at debate
9.30pm: Muar, Johor - The crowd at Bersatu youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman's talk in the Muar Trader's Hotel boo and jeer when the event's moderator cheekily invites an absent Muar incumbent MP Razali Ibrahim or his representative on stage.
They then laugh when the moderator says that the PAS candidate Abdul Aziz Talib was also invited.
The crowd jeer and boo again when the moderator invites Razali to give the opening remarks.
Syed Saddiq, who has been consistently receiving applause, opens his speech by urging the crowd to stop booing his absent opponents.
When the moderator invites Razali or his representative to partake in round two of the debate the crowd claps, before again descending into heckling and booing.
On Friday, Razali had asked Syed Saddiq to sort out the debate's venue after having accepted the challenge.
Gombak crowd swells
The crowd continues to turn up at AU2 Keramat field, where the "Tsunami Rakyat" ceramah is being held.
National laureate and DAP member Abdul Samad Mohamed Said, Harapan candidate for Ampang Zuraida Kamaruddin and Gombak Setia candidate Hilman Idham are present.
Taking to stage, Hilham says the question frequently asked from Umno is whether he is married.
"I am 29-years-old, but I am married with three children," he says.
"This time we are playing a three-corner boxing match. So, please make sure your family will support us," he says.
BN lines up a bike, fridge in lucky draw at concert
9.10pm: Kampung Sungai Buaya, Kuala Langat - BN Kuala Langat has planned a concert for the area’s voters tonight, laying out some 500 tables, plus 500 extra chairs on a football field.
Despite its 8:30pm official start time, the stage is still being set up.
People are slowly trickling in and they register their names for a lucky draw, where prizes include a motorcycle and a refrigerator.
Many are dressed in blue t-shirts bearing the face of BN’s Kuala Langat candidate Shahril Hamdan.
Shahril, along with the party’s candidate for Sijangkang - Sulaiman Mohd Karli, Morib - Rozana Kamarulzaman and Banting - Ng Siok Hwa are all slated to make appearances tonight.
Mother of Lembah Pantai hopeful rallies support for son
9pm: Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur - Fauziah Ramly, mother of Harapan's candidate for Lembah Pantai, Fahmi Fadzil makes a special appearance during a ceramah held outside Bala's Banana Leaf in Bangsar tonight.
"I am not here as a politician but I am here as a mother.
"If it is destined that he wins, so be it. But if it destined otherwise...," Fauziah says, as a voice from the crowd of over 500 people shouts, "there is no otherwise!".
"All of it depends on you. You are the ones who are going to vote," says Fauziah who earlier admits she has some fear over her son's chances in the three-corner battle against BN's Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin and PAS' Fauzi Abu Bakar.
"Can you tell all your friends to vote for my son?," she asks, to cheers of "Yes!" from the crowd.
Fauziah also notes that support from residents of more middle-class areas within Lembah Pantai is necessary to make up the numbers from lower-income areas such as Bangsar South or formerly known as Kerinchi.
"I know it is tough, I know it is really really tough. Round the corner at Seri Pahang flats is equally tough.
"So Fahmi depends on your votes here. It must be 100 percent!," she says to cheers and claps from the multi-ethnic crowd comprising young children all the way to the elderly.
Incumbent Muar MP proposes closed-door debate with Syed Saddiq
8.50PM : Muar, Johor - Muar incumbent MP Razali Ibrahim has proposed that his debate with Bersatu youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman be held behind closed doors tomorrow at 5pm at the district officer's house, with a live stream.
He denies being a coward and being in cahoots with the police who barred the original debate from progressing.
Syed Saddiq, who turned up at the Muar Trader's Hotel at 8.30pm, accepts when informed of Razali's proposal by journalists, and hopes that there will be media access to the event.
He then proceeds to the hotel's packed hall and receives a rousing ovation from a crowd of almost 1,000 people, who shout "Saddiq, Saddiq!"
The organisers plan to hold a talk with or without Razali.
Drenched Gombak folk wait for Dr M's appearance
8.30pm: AU2 Keramat, Selangor - It is raining heavily in Gombak but some 1,000 people, clad in raincoats and holding umbrellas, have gathered at the AU2 field.
Despite being drenched and cold, they are sitting patiently in their chairs for more than half an hour, waiting for Pakatan Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad to show up for his last ceramah in the Klang Valley.
Some of them arrived before 8pm, when it started raining.
Harapan top guns Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir are also expected to show up.
Jelebu folk await Rais, their former MP
8.30pm: Titi, Jelebu, Negeri Sembilan -Rais Yatim is expected to make his first appearance in campaigning for Pakatan Harapan here in half an hour.
Rais was former Jelebu MP (1974-1978, 1982-1990, 1999-2013), and once held the position of Negeri Sembilan menteri besar.
About 800 audience members, mostly Chinese, have already gathered in Pekan Titi, a Hakka-majority Chinese village, awaiting Rais's arrival.
A number of Harapan leaders, including Jelebu candidate Mustafar Ab Kadir(Amanah), DAP state chief and Seremban incumbent MP Anthony Loke, Bahau candidate Teo Kok Siong, are also present.
State caretaker menteri besar Mohamad Hasan is also expected to visit Klawang, a state seat under Jelebu, tomorrow.
Let Chong be a minister through the front door, says Zahid
6.30pm - Seremban, Negeri Sembilan - Caretaker deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi campaigns for MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon in Seremban.
He tells the 1,000-strong crowd at a BN event in Ampangan that Chong is "minister material."
"When Chong was appointed as a (deputy) minister through senatorship... I saw people accused him of (becoming a deputy minister) through the back door.
"But he is one of the best performing deputy ministers. So let him through the front door this time, okay?" he says.
Vets pledge support for Harapan
5.45pm: Ayer Keroh, Malacca - A group of about 20 military veterans from Pertubuhan Prihatin Bekas Anggota Keselamatan Malaysia (Pahlawan) gather at Kampung Sungai Putat to pledge their support for Pakatan Harapan.
They are taking turns speaking at the parking lot in the middle of several roadside stalls, including the famous mango shake stall here.
Harapan’s Hang Tuah Jaya candidate Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin and the Ayer Keroh candidate Kerk Chee Yee are also in attendance.
“We are not betraying (belot) the country. This is based on the current administration, the current governance, the current corruption,” says Pahlawan president Asri Buang to reporters.
One of the speakers at the gathering, Husnal Sanusi, says veteran issues have been ignored by the government for far too long.
“Whoever who votes Umno are the ones betraying the cause of veterans. We are the ones who have been championing veterans’ issues all this while.
“We are not afraid, we have been in the jungles and out,” the Pahlawan secretary-general says in his speech.
Shahrizat: Ex-Umno leaders have betrayed their principles
5.30pm: Kluang, Johor – Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil says the former Umno leaders who are critical of the current caretaker administration have only “betrayed” themselves at the people’s expense.
“When they held posts (in the government), the government parties, their members, including Wanita members, rallied behind and supported them, including during times when they were allegedly involved in scandals.
“But today, they have turned their back (on the party) and betrayed their own principles,” she tells reporters after the ‘Ratu Hati Negaraku’ programme with Sembrong Wanita BN.
Though she does not mention any names in particular, it is believed that she is referring to sacked Umno veterans Rafidah Aziz and Daim Zainuddin, who recently joined Pakatan Harapan's campaign trail.
Another former minister, Rais Yatim, has also pledged to stump for the opposition pact, but he has not yet been sacked from the party.
Shahrizat also cautions the people to not to fall prey to their “slander.”
“So, do not be influenced by the slander and accusations from the opposition. I call on Malaysians not to be their political prey,” she says.
'I like Kesavan too, but he's been moved now,' Zahid tells Hutan Melintang
5.15pm: Bagan Datuk, Perak: Caretaker deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi urges voters in the Jendarata Plantation – located in the Hutan Melintang state seat – to give BN a chance.
Bernama reports Zahid as claiming that although the opposition has held the state constituency since 2008, there has been no progress seen in the area.
What development there has been, the Bagan Datuk candidate adds, is largely due to the private sector.
“I hope Jendarata voters will give me and BN candidate for this area Khairuddin Tarmizi a chance in this general election.
"The two-term incumbent (PKR’s S Kesavan from PKR) is good, he is my friend. But he has gone to Sungai Siput,” he says.
BN’s Khairuddin will face off against Harapan’s G Manivannan and PAS’ Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki.
Incumbent Hutan Melintang rep Kesavan was moved to Sungai Siput, where he is expected to face a fierce contest with PSM’s Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj and BN's K Devamany.
Syed Saddiq vows to proceed with debate
5.00pm: Muar, Johor - Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has vowed to proceed with his debate with incumbent Muar MP Razali Ibrahim tonight despite police canning the event.
"The debate will continue at 9pm... We want to inculcate a culture of intellectual debate and dialogue among Malaysians because this is our future," he says in a Facebook video.
Syed Saddiq says he was disappointed with the police decision to bar the event, saying his previous debates with Umno and PAS members had ended peacefully without incident.
He also hits out at BN for not daring to debate him, despite labelling him a "kitten", "immature" and "inexperienced".
Malaysiakini has contacted Razali for a response.
Ali Rustam sends out letter to Chinese voters
5pm: Hang Tuah Jaya, Malacca - Voters in the Hang Tuah Jaya constituency are apparently receiving letters from BN candidate Mohd Ali Rustam appealing for votes.
The letter, which was sighted by Malaysiakini, is in Chinese and dated April 29, a day after nomination day. The envelope, meanwhile, has a stamp bearing his picture.
In the letter, he introduces himself as the BN candidate for Hang Tuah Jaya to the voters.
“This election will decide our country's future development and guide us towards prosperity and in becoming w high-income country.
“Only BN is able to fulfil these promises and I hope you all can vote for me for the future of the country,” the letter read.
In the previous election, Ali had described Chinese Malaysian voters as ungrateful after he lost the Hang Tuah Jaya seat, then known as Bukit Katil.
However, in an interview with Malaysiakini last month, he said that voters from the community would have now seen that they change they craved before has not benefitted them, and would return their support to BN.
Lee Kim Yew now an ‘honorary member’ of Patriot
4pm: Seri Kembangan, Selangor -Tycoon Lee Kim Yew appears at Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan’s ‘Forum Aspirasi Rakyat’ dressed in a Patriot-branded cap and polo shirt.
He tells Malaysiakini he is the organisation’s newest “honorary member.”
In a speech, Lee says the country is “sick” and aspires that leaders will draw upon the wisdom of the Federal Constitution and Rukun Negara for a cure.
He also condemns the Anti-Fake News Act 2018.
“You don’t simply pass a law that contradicts with the Federal Constitution.
“We already have so many other laws that counter people who tell lies, you can’t pass a law that is so wide (ranging),” he says.
Cops reject proposed Razali-Syed Saddiq debate
3.30pm: Johor Bahru, Johor - The Johor police have rejected the proposed debate between the two candidates of Muar parliamentary seats slated to be held tonight due to public order, according to China Press.
This comes after incumbent for Muar MP Razali Ibrahim accepted the challenge by Bersatu's Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman to a debate.
Johor police chief Mohd Khalil Kader Mohd says they only received a notice from the Bersatu Youth chief cum Harapan’s candidate at 10.30am today that the debate will be held tonight.
“The organiser merely notified through a letter and did not apply for a permit from the police. This did not follow the procedure, thus police disallowed the event.”
He also urges the public not to attend the open debate which did not obtain the police approval.
Kit Siang makes surprise appearance at Patriot forum
2:15pm: Seri Kembangan, Selangor - DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang makes a surprise appearance at the Forum Aspirasi Rakyat, organised by Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan.
He is inundated by requests for photographs and selfies from members of the audience, and obliges.
“No comment”, Lim says when asked for his response to allegations by DAP life member Amran Ahmad Nor yesterday that the party was spreading “malicious propaganda” against the prime minister and his wife.
'BN's choice for Johor MB should be made by Najib'
12.05pm: Senai Airport, Johor - DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang claims that caretaker Johor menteri besar Mohamed Khaled Nordin was under pressure when he revealed himself as BN's choice for MB.
In an interview with a Chinese media before departing for Subang in Selangor, Lim says the announcement should be made by BN chairperson Najib Abdul Razak, instead of Khaled (photo).
“I think it's interesting. It should be announced by (caretaker) prime minister and BN chief.
"He (Khaled) should not announce himself. It showed Khaled was under tremendous pressure and forced to clarify.”
Guan Eng launches manifesto at a coffee shop
12.00pm Beng Chin Garden coffee shop, Air Itam, Penang: Air Putih candidate Lim Guan Eng launches his manifesto today, which focusses on his achievements in the constituency.
The manifesto describes Lim as a "chief minister who has the people at heart", and states that RM100 million had been spent to develop Air Putih in 10 years.
These include road projects (RM25,000,000), flood mitigation abd drainage cleaning (RM2,100,000), contributions to schools (RM930,000), building and lift (RM6,300,000), Penang Hill Corporation (RM45,000,000) and Penang Water Supply Corporation (RM20,000,000) among others.
Lim then apologises to the Air Putih voters as he was unable to join them in the campaign. He has just returned to Penang at 4am this morning.
"I have been touring the country to make sure we win Putrajaya. I want to thank my wife who has been going around meeting voters on my behalf, I am very grateful for her help," he says.
"In the past five years I have been with you, I have provided you the services you need and will continue to serve you," he tells his voters.
Lim then hugs his wife Betty Chew as cameras click away to snap photos of the loving couple.
Caretaker CM takes campaign to Air Itam market
11.28am: Air Itam market, Penang - Caretaker Penang chief minister arrives at Beng Chin Garden coffee shop at the Air Itam market.
He bumps into BN's Bukit Bendera candidate Andy Yong. As they greet each other, the crowd cheers.
The coffee shop, situated in front of Kek Lok Si temple, is filled to the brim.
Lim's fans make their way to greet or selfie with him amidst the chant of "Pakatan Harapan" and "Lim Guan Eng".
This comes after his four-hour walkabout around the area with candidates Ramkarpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor), Yeoh Soo Hin (Paya Terubong) and Joseph Ng (Air Itam). Lim is accompanied by his wife Betty Chew.
As Lim is about to begin a press conference at the coffee shop, a supporter buys him a lemon drink.
Bersih: EC committed 10 major electoral crimes
11.10am: Petaling Jaya, Selangor - With three days left before polling day, electoral reform coalition Bersih holds a press conference to release preliminary findings of its observations on the election process so far.
Bersih acting chairperson Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari says there are 10 major "electoral crimes" which has been committed by the Election Commission.
Among others, Shahrul Aman highlights various irregularities in the advance voting and postal voting system, including complaints from overseas voters that they have yet to receive their postal ballots.
"Bersih holds the EC responsible and guilty for the 10 crimes as they are the primary body responsible to manage and conduct elections in Malaysia," he says.
Dr M's plan to pay respects to Tok Guru's grave foiled by blockade
10.04am: Pengkalan Chepa, Kelantan -The late Nik Aziz Nik Mat's son Nik Adli has locked the gates to the cemetery where the former PAS spiritual leader is buried, and blockaded the entrance with a lorry ahead of a planned visit by Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"We see that there's a vested interest (in the visit). If he (Mahathir) wants to visit, he can come after the elections whether he wins or loses," Nik Adli tells Malaysiakini.
Kelantan Pakatan Harapan chief Husam Musa says Mahathir's visit to Nik Aziz's grave has been postponed for now.
9.05am: Chempaka, Kelantan - Dr Mahathir Mohamad is expected to visit the grave of late former PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat to pay his respects.
He is expected to be accompanied by Nik Aziz's second son and Pakatan Harapan Chempaka candidate Nik Omar.
However, another of Nik Aziz's sons, Nik Adli and his supporters, plan to stop Mahathir and his entourage, saying the family does not consent to the visit during the campaign period.
Mahathir has two other programmes in Kelantan today, meeting with people in Kok Lanas, Ketereh and Kampung Cherang, Kota Bharu respectively.
