S'WAK POLLS | LIVE BLOG DAY 8 The battle for Sarawak is beginning to heat up on the campaign trail.
The Sarawak election is on its final week with five days left to campaign before polling day on Saturday, May 7.
Sarawak chief minister Adenan Satem continues his tour of Miri on the national holiday, while Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is back after dealing with Peninsula issues, and is campaigning in Betong today.
On the opposition's side, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng is still campaigning hard, including building up more support for the party in Batu Kitang where they are facing both BN and their Pakatan Harapan ally PKR in a three-cornered fight.
Follow our LIVE BLOG as the Malaysiakini team in Sarawak brings you the news as it takes place.
Small crowd for DAP's main ceramah
10.30PM: Pujut, Miri – There's a sharp drop in DAP's main ceramah crowd tonight.
The crowd, which had been 4,000 strong last night, shrank down to about 500 people.
"Esok sekolah la (Tomorrow's a school day)," incumbent candidate for Piasau Alan Ling says when asked about the reduced number.
He adds that there was a second smaller ceramah in Senadin where he claims about 100 people showed up.
10pm: Padawan, Kuching: At one of three DAP ceramah in Kuching, the crowd here numbers around 500 people after an evening shower.
The crowd which braved the wet weather were surprised as DAP's latest recruit Zaidi Ahmad, a former major under Royal Malaysian Air Force, makes an appearance.
He immediately goes on the offensive against BN.
"The BN government uses all sorts of unethical tactics to maintain control.
"They used public utilities such as television stations which are paid for by taxpayers," says Zaidi, who joined DAP two days ago.
The combat aircraft pilot was dismissed from the Royal Malaysian Air Force after questioning the electoral process and reliability of indelible ink in the 2013 general election.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng will be the main speaker for tonight.
9.50pm - Pelawan, Sibu: Bucking the trend in other places in Sarawak, DAP's ceramah in Sibu pulls a strong crowd of over 3,000 people in Rejang Park, Pelawan, Sibu.
The ceramah is organised in front of the Sibu DAP headquarters.
The ceramah is accompanied by a live stream of Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong's speech through Skype.
"The whole world is investigating Najib, but he is hiding in Sarawak now, as he knows if BN manages to win more than 70 seats, he will tell all that he has the rakyat's mandate and Mahathir, DAP, PKR are useless," he says.
Liew also likens Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's call for police and army personnel to "help" him today to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's infamous "you help me, I help you" speech in Sibu during the 2011 state election. The crowd jeers at this.
Selangor exco Teng Chang Khim will be the main and final speaker at the ceramah tonight.
Poor turnout for DAP and SUPP Batu Kawah ceramah
9.30pm: Batu Kawah, Kuching – As tomorrow is a working day, there is a lacklustre response at MJC Batu Kawah ceramah which sees only 600 people in attendance.
Incumbent DAP Batu Kawah assemblyperson Christina Chiew speaks of her record of serving the local residents.
She says Padawan city council was forced to install a street lamp after she kept up the pressure on the council.
"I told the city council, if you don't do, I will do it and put up rocket flag surrounding it.
"Later, they quickly installed it," she tells the crowd, urging them to support her as the applause.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng is slated to speak later.
This ceramah is around six kilometres away from the one by SUPP which is also seeing lacklusture turnout.
However, unlike yesterday's single ceramah by DAP which saw over 2,000 people turning up, the party is holding three separate ceramahs.
The other two ceramah are at Padawan and and Sungai Apong market which attracts around 500 and 400 people respectively.
SUPP rep takes swipes at DAP top guns
8.49pm: Batu Kawah, Kuching – About 500 people turns up at the BN-SUPP campaign held at the SRB Chung Hua Batu Kawah.
Michael Tiang from Pelawan, Sibu, takes the stage as the opening campaign for SUPP.
Tiang starts his fiery speech, taking swipes at both DAP leaders Lim Guan Eng and Lim Kit Siang for questioning the directive of caretaker Chief Minister Adenan Satem for banning opposition political figures from entering.
"Let me remind you Guan Eng, Penang has been a state since 1957. But for Sarawak, we are already a country itself in 1963," Tiang says referring to the Sarawak independence from Britain prior to the formation of Malaysia on July 22, 1963.
"This May 7, let us make it happen. Make sure we have our deputy chief minister coming from Batu Kawah," Tiang says.
Later, SUPP president Sim Kui Hian, who is vying for the Batu Kawah seat against DAP's Christina Chiew, takes the stage.
"Remember this May 7, let us send Chiew to her retirement but don't worry, as a former assemblyperson, she will still get her pension," he says.
Sim also reminds voters that it was the BN government that provided RM80 million for flood mitigation projects in Batu Kawah.
"If an independent or DAP candidate have to use their own money, is it enough (for flood mitigation)? Where will the money come from?
"This time don't just watch. Now it's time to 'Ubah', give Dr Sim and BN a chance. Can?" he asks as the crowd replies "yes".
Adenan promises new seat for Penan people
6.22pm: Miri – Incumbent Chief Minister Adenan Satem promises to create a new seat for the Penan people in the future.
"This will give a voice to all (bumiputera communities)" Adenan says at a meeting with Orang Ulu voters from Ba'kelalan, Mulu, and Telang Usan.
He says he had previously successfully told the Election Commission to create the Murum and Mulu seats for the Kenyah and Kelabit peoples respectively.
Also present were BN candidate for Ba'kelalan Willie Lau; Mulu candidate Gerawat Gala; and Telang Usan candidate Dennis Ngau.
In his speech, Adenan also fired shots at incumbent Ba'kelalan assemblyperson Baru Bian, saying the PKR rep only fights for native land rights in exchange for money.
"The true champion of bumiputera is your government itself, not someone who claims to be a champion and is paid to be a champion."
DAP: S'wak facing invasion of Umno ministers
6.14pm: Kuching – DAP state leader Chong Chieng Jen says state BN was "opening up Sarawak to an invasion" on Wednesday when Kuching hosts the next federal cabinet meeting.
"In order to win the election, (Chief Minister) Adenan Satem is now importing all the Umno ministers into Sarawak," Chong tells reporters.
"This is ridiculous. It just shows the extent to which Adenan would resort to in order to win an election and what he has done sets a dangerous precedent. It is very unwise, very selfish and very short-sighted of Adenan to do this.
"At the of the end of the day, what Sarawakians detest most are not West Malaysians but Umno racism and extremism," Chong says.
This is the first time a federal cabinet meeting is held in Kuching. Previously, Langkawi has played host to cabinet meetings due to the LIMA airshow.
Meanwhile, Chong calls on voters to come out in full force, fearing a defeat in his own seat of Kota Sentosa.
"They have 3,000 army votes here. If the people do not come out and vote, I'm afraid DAP might lose several seats,” he said.
Opposition hit by phone hacking
4.30pm: Kuching and Bau – DAP candidate for Padungan Wong King Wei believes his phone has been hacked after receiving strange messages and phone calls from people asking about chief minister Adenan Satem.
"I believe someone is sending out messages regarding BN through his phone but with my number appearing instead of his," Wong tells reporters, adding he has lodged a police report in Kuching.
Meanwhile, DAP's candidate for Tasik Biru Mordi Bimol also complains of having his phone number hacked.
Mordi in a statement says he received over 100 text messages and phone calls from unknown people asking who we was and to stop disturbing them.
Mordi says he then sought clarification from the complainants and found out that his phone number was used to send them Mandarin text messages.
The message reads: "DAP have gotten huge Chinese support, we must now spend more money to win more Iban seats".
"I believe the hacking of my phone number is intended to sully my good name as well as DAP's and to create racial tension by irresponsible quarters in order to win the election," he says.
Mordi says he has lodged a police report in Bau over the matter.
Yesterday, PKR complained its volunteer Liza Bong's phone number was used to send out messages claiming Adenan had helped to pay off the ransom of four hostages kidnapped off the coast of Semporna last month.
Baru rubbishes Machan Independent's claim of party offer
3.27pm: Machan – Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian rubbishes claims that the party has offered Machan Independent candidate Semawi Paong to join their party should he win the seat.
He says it is a ploy to confuse the votes and split the votes.
“(Semawi) is reported to be saying that he has received assurances from myself, Ali Biju and Abun Sui that we will take him into PKR if he wins.
“This is not true and if indeed he has been saying these things, it is with the intention of deceiving the PKR voters to change their support from our candidate George Chen to him.
“This will cause a split in our votes and leads us to question the real motive behind his campaign tactics,” says Baru in a statement.
He says the party is clear that it will not take in any independent candidate who has contested against PKR’s endorsed candidate.
Hatta calls PBB's Amanah 'strip show' a gimmick
1.30pm: Kuching – Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) today refutes claims PBB’s Muara Tuang candidate Idris Buang instructed some the former’s party workers to take off their Amanah shirts.
The party’s election director Hatta Ramli says the claim is a strange one, calling it a gimmick by Idris for his own campaign.
“I find it strange how the candidate himself recorded it, which shows that it was a mere gimmick. I think anyone can also act by taking off BN’s shirt and then wearing Amanah’s, and have the act recorded in a video.
“Videos are cheap and we should not be commenting on such things,” says Hatta to reporters at the Kuching Grand Continental Hotel today.
A three-minute video uploaded by Idris last Saturday shows two men wearing Amanah shirts before later taking them off after being told to do so.
Muara Tuang will see a three-cornered fight between Idris, PAS’ Zulkipli Ramzi and Amanah’s Abang Abdul Halil Abang Naili.
The last general election saw PBB’s Mohamad Ali Mahmud winning the seat with a 7,843-vote majority.
Ling-Ting showdown as Piasau set to see debate
1pm: Miri – Incumbent DAP Piasau assemblyperson Alan Ling has set Thursday for a debate with BN candidate Sebastian Ting.
Ling says Ting had accepted his earlier challenge to a gentlemanly debate, so as to stop the other from allegedly taking pot shots at him.
The DAP man says he is choosing Thursday as his SUPP opponent had asked for two days’ notice before the showdown.
BN Pujut's Hii gets multireligious blessings for win
12.15pm: Saberkas, Miri – An ustaz reciting prayers at the beginning of a PBB function here prays for BN direct candidate for Pujut Hii King Chiong's victory.
"Hii is like a khalifah (leader) to us. Oh Allah, grant him victory," the ustaz says while Hii maintains a respectful silence and incumbent state housing minister Abang Johari Abang Openg holds his hands in prayer.
Meanwhile Sin Chew Daily reports Hii yesterday visited a Sikh temple in Miri to be blessed.
The temple committee is reported saying they hope Hii will win and bring development to Pujut, while condemning the opposition for playing up issues that purportedly stir public anger.
PKR Sarawak mulls suing state over entry ban
12pm: Kuching – PKR Sarawak deputy youth chief Simon Siah says the party is considering taking legal action against the Sarawak government for barring opposition lawmakers from entering the state.
"It's completely arbitrary. We have no idea who is to be barred and why," Siah tells reporters at the party headquarters in Kuching.
Siah, who is part of the state PKR's legal team, says the party may have to wait until the election is over before taking matters to court.
"The caretaker government is in charge. With just four days of election left, we believe it's best to begin our proceedings then."
Siah adds that a caretaker government should not be taking actions such as exercising Immigration restrictions.
"It is only charged with carrying out day-to-day administrative duties," he says.
Over 40 opposition lawmakers, activists and academicians have been barred from entry into the state to date, particularly since the dissolution of the state assembly was announced.
PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah is the latest to be barred from entering Miri this morning, despite having written to the authorities for permission.
Anonymous posters 'defaming DAP' slammed
10.52am: Siburan – DAP Mambong candidate Sanjan Anak Daik slams anonymous banners defaming DAP.
“Thus far, DAP is contesting this election as fairly as possible, but it appears some irresponsible parties are taking cheap shots at us in an attempt to gain political mileage,” says Sanjan in a statement.
One banner reads, ‘DAP can’t be trusted’ and Sanjan complains it does not carry the names of the publishers, printers or any identification of the responsible parties, which he says the Election Commission (EC) should probe immediately.
“My campaign team will be lodging a report with the EC on this matter, and we hope it will be investigated with utmost seriousness.
“We urge all contesting parties to contest this elections fairly and avoid dirty politics. Let the voters decide who their choice is,” he says.
‘Opposition no entry’ villagers defends pro-BN stand
10.45am: Kapit – Kampung Cina Jalan Bleteh, which courted controversy for putting up a banner to ban the opposition from entering, claims they merely want to preserve the simplicity of the village.
They want only to stop the opposition from instigating the villagers, says development and security committee (JKKK) chairperson Yap Poh Li.
The villagers need the assistance of BN and out of their own will, they have professed their support for the coalition, Chinese daily See Hua today quotes her saying.
She brushes off claims by some quarters on Facebook that they are being bullied.
In response to these negative comments that went viral in social media the past days, some 30 villagers protest at their village to show their staunch support for BN, holding the same banner.
DAP initially planned to hold a ceramah at the village on April 29, but is forced to cancel as they find they are not welcome and have failed to get a police permit.
10.30am: Kuching – BN Padungan’s Peter Pau cries when he thinks of the two-month non-stop effort he has put into his campaign.
The Chinese daily See Hua reports Pau being emotional at an event organised by Padungan Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) branch.
He was reacting to a touching moment when his comrades shouted," Ah Pau, get elected." and the video of their tireless campaign efforts.
"Ah Pau, don't cry. Ah Pau, go on," See Hua reports the crowd shouting.
Ngemah PKR’s seconders switch sides to back BN
10am: Ngemah – A seconder for PKR's candidate in Ngemah, Thomas Laja Besi, is switching sides in favour of the ruling coalition.
The Borneo Post today reports that Matthew Tira Ugah is now campaigning for BN's Alexander Vincent, saying he feels the latter would ensure a better future for Ngemah.
Also switching to Alexander's camp is Paulus Yan, a campaigner for independent Ngemah candidate Joseph Jawa Kendawang.
Alexander says Tira and Paulus have made the right choice, having now understood "that only BN can bring in development for the people".
Nurul Izzah deported despite writing in
10.06am: Sibu – PKR vice- president Nurul Izzah Anwar has been denied entry upon arrival at the Miri airport this morning, says PKR in a message.
"Shocked to be deported despite sending in a letter to the CM,” says the Lembah Pantai MP on Twitter.
Lim won't write in to stay, says no honour in playing dirty
9am: Padawan, Kuching – Penang chief minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng reiterates he will not be appealing to extend his stay beyond Friday, when his visa expires.
He says this is not the way for the incumbent administration to express the state’s autonomy.
"Restore the previous position where Sarawak is one of three entities that make up Malaysia," Lim says during a walkabout with DAP's Batu Kitang candidate Abdul Aziz Isa.
"That is the true way to fight for the rights of Malaysia. Not stopping opposition leaders from coming in, to win dirty.
“There's no honour in winning dirty," he says.
Instead of the usual 90-day visa, Sarawak immigration authorities have restricted Lim's stay to seven days, just a day short of polling day.
Sarawak chief minister Adenan Satem said he would consider extending Lim's stay if the latter writes an appeal letter to the Chief Minister's Office.
9am: The spat between DAP and PKR over seat allocations continues to simmer with DAP organising secretary Anthony Loke insisting the party’s claim that negotiations had been sealed are based on fact.
“We wish to stress the statement of DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng on April 30 is based on fact and written proof that was signed by both parties on April 7 as well as communications notes up to the night before nominations day,” says Loke in an early morning statement.
Loke is rebutting PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar’s claim yesterday that DAP’s assertions on the ongoing feud over both parties contesting the same seats despite having sealed negotiations, were inaccurate.
The Seremban MP however agreed with Nurul Izzah that their focus should be on fighting BN in the coming state polls.
“We agree this is not the time to discuss the matter, and all facts and written proof will be tabled at the Pakatan Rakyat’s top leadership meeting after the Sarawak election,” says Loke.
Adenan: Opposition 'licking own saliva'
8am: Mulu – Adenan Satem charms the Christian majority at a longhouse in Long Panai with his fluency in the religion's scriptures during a visit yesterday, reports Bernama.
He recites a few scriptures while giving his speech which received a thunderous applause from the Kayan majority community.
"I am not a Christian of course, but I am trying to be a good Muslim. I also studied the scriptures. I know about the Gospel of Luke, Matthew, John and James.
"I also know the Act of the Apostles, and so on so forth, and I know the life history of Jesus...in school I got distinction for my scriptures, one of the few Malays who got distinction in scripture, not easy I tell you," he says when meeting about 1,000 people at the longhouse.
The meet and greet session at the 127-door long house is also attended by BN candidate for Mulu, Gerawat Gala.
He also criticises the opposition for fighting against the seat redelineation, but yet fields candidates for the newly created seats.
"They (opposition) even took us to the court in an effort to nullify the new Mulu seat but we appealed and presented with a new seat for Mulu.
"That is why I am surprised that the opposition is contesting here. This is just like what a Malay saying goes 'menjilat ludah sendiri' (lick the own saliva)," he says.
Mulu, a new seat will see a four-cornered fight comprising Gala from BN, Paul Raja (DAP), Pauls Baya (PKR) and Roland Mattu (Independent).
