Small blast outside PKR headquarters in PJ

VIDEO l 2.14 min

DAY 14 What's happening during the election campaigns around the country today? Quotable quotes, planned events and unplanned incidents as they take place.

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11.30pm - Kuala Lumpur: There was small explosion outside the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya at about 9.30pm.

According to reports, the explosion occurred next to a power sub-station a stone throw from the PKR office.

Earlier today, three suspicous packages which carried the word 'Bom' were found in various places in the Klang Valley including one outside the DAP office in Puchong. Police are investigating.

11.20pm - Setiawangsa: About enthusiastic 2,000 BN supporters braved heavy traffic, steady rain and a muddy field to hear BN chairperson Najib Abdul Razak speak tonight.

“We want to give a clear message,” Najib said, “BN is the party of choice for city folk too. We don’t want BN to be considered a mere rural party. Therefore I have come here to the Federal Territory tonight, to ensure a (clean sweep).”

In his speech, Najib also touted various affordable housing project that have either been launched or promised, and said he had also advocated for affordable houses to be built near MRT stations as well.

“If we just left matters to the open market, they (developers) would build expensive condominiums only, with prices that start at RM1 million and have risen to RM2 or 3 million,” he said.

Of the 11 parliamentary seats in Kuala Lumpur, Setiawangsa is the only one in BN hands following the 2008 political tsunami.

 

11.15pm - Pasir Gudang: Soh Cher Wei, the widow of political aide Teoh Beng Hock who died mysteriously at the premises of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), asks the help of the audience of some 3,000 to "lend" her their votes to seek the truth behind Teoh's death.

Speaking at a Pakatan function for the second time after yesterday's ceramah at Kulai, the civil servant is unfazed that action could be taken against her for speaking at Pakatan ceramah.

"I would come (and speak at Pakatan ceramah) for the third, fourth or fifth time (if I'm asked to). I don't think they would pardon me but at least I die (penalised) for a cause."

Soh reminds the audience that the truth is still being denied four years after Teoh died.

"I have been waiting for four years. It should not be like this.

"Yesterday at Kulai, I reminded myself not to mention BN nor the government or sensitive words if possible. Today I also reminded myself not to mention Najib so I may have a chance (not to be penalised).

"But I cannot help it. I still want to ask you, when do you want to give us the truth? You took him away, you are responsible to give us the truth," says the teary mother.

"If your son dies, can you accept that he died for RM2,400?" she asks, wiping her tears away with a piece of tissue paper.

"Those who rear cows don't have to die, those who purchased things with exorbitant prices don't have to die, why does a person who bought things with only RM2,400 have to die?

"My son is already three years old, he has never seen his father, he has every right to know the truth. So Najib, return justice to us! Return the truth to us! How did Teoh die?" she queries, drawing a round of cheers from the floor. 

10.45pm - Pasir Gudang: Stanley Thai ( right ), the owner of listed glove manufacturer Supermax Corp, speaks at a Pakatan ceramah in Johor Jaya that attracts some 3,000 people.

"If the current government continues, our economy would go down.

"Vietnam and Burma will grow faster than us very soon. So it is important for me to convey this message that we must change the government," he says in English.

The current economic system, he claims, "bullies" businessmen and only benefits BN's cronies.

10pm - Ayer Hitam: A multiracial crowd of more than 2,000 turn up to listen to the Pakatan leaders in a ceramah held at Ayer Hitam town.

The ceramah is co-organised by Pakatan campaign teams of four parliamentary constituencies namely Kluang, Ayer Hitam, Sembrong and Simpang Renggam.

Pakatan candidates for these four parliamentary seats are scheduled to speak later.

Chants of "Ubah, ini kalilah" (change, this is it) and "Wu Yue Wu, Huan Zheng Fu" (May 5th, change government" are heard loudly during the ceramah.

A lot of Malay folk in the audience also chant the Chinese slogan although they do not know Chinese.

10pm - Sungai Siput: While criticising BN for holding free dinners to win over the heart of the voters, DAP is also doing the same thing in Sungai Siput tonight.

The dinner is held at Phong Mun restaurant with 250 tables and more than 1,000 people attending.

Ceramah are delivered by various DAP leaders.

DAP is placing Loh Sze Yee to contest in the Jalong state seat under the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat.

Interestingly, Sungai Siput candidate Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj (PSM-PKR) also attends the dinner and gives a short speech to the people.

Speaking to Malaysiakini on the sidelines, he notes that the dinner is free and sponsored by a corporate firm.

However, he defends his ally by saying that BN’‘s wrongdoings are even more serious than this.

9.30pm - Gelang Patah: Some 4,000 people including members of BN component parties attend a thanksgiving dinner organised by local NGOs to commemorate the contribution of incumbent Gelang Patah MP Tan Ah Eng, who has been diagnosed with cancer.

Although Tan is not present, leaders of local NGOs take turns to compliment the MCA MP for her service.

9pm - Penang:

About 100,000 people swarmed the Esplanade tonight for a Pakatan Rakyat-organised ceramah, barely 36 hours before polling day on Sunday.

This is in stark contrast to the 10,000 odd crowd which turned up at Rifle Range for a free mega concert and buffer dinner which was later attended by Prime Minister Najib Razak.

The Esplanade event started with a concert where Pakatan leaders including Lim Kit Siang sang songs to protest against money politics allegedly blatant in several constituencies, including that of caretaker Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

The crowd was much entertained with snippets of political jokes by PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu, who later left to meet about 1,000 supporters in Tasek Gelugor.

The Esplanade is filled with chants of “Ubah” and “Ini Kalilah” as the crowd await Guan Eng, the final speaker, who is on his way from Alor Setar.

8.30pm - Segamat: With two days left to the general election, emotions are running high as BN's Jementah state seat candidate Lee Hong Tee shed tears over accusations of misappropriation at a local dialysis centre where he is an adviser.

"If you want to attack, then attack me but do not target the dialysis centre which is a centre for service," he said as he appeared to wipe a tear.

BN's Segamat parliamentary candidate S Subramaniam, who was also present at the dinner, comforted Lee.

5.15pm - Puchong: A third suspicious package, this time addressed to Puchong DAP, is found at the party's office in Bandar Kinrara.

A security guard at the building alerted the building management as he noticed the word "bomb" written on it, similar to the one reported in Jinjang Utara earlier today.

The latter then called in the police and bomb disposal squad.

Incumbent Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo instructed all staff leave the building as a safety precaution, while police investigate the matter.

This is the third such incident within nine hours, the first in Jinjang Utara and followed by another such package being found near Seri Kembangan, Serdang.

Police are still onsite.

4.45pm - Shah Alam: Harakah printer Nor Azlan Jan has lodged a police report alleging that fake copies of the Malay-language daily are being distributed at the An Nahdhah mosque in Section 18, Shah Alam.

Nor Azlan says the counterfeit edition's front page has the title, 'New media will be factor in the 13th general election' and contains various forged news about PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and PAS deputy spiritual adviser Haron Din.

"Following this, I lodged a police report as my printing license in the fake Harakah has been abused," he adds.

Also accompanying Nor Azlan in lodging the police report is PAS Shah Alam Supporters club head K Nathan.

2.30pm - Kota Kinabalu:

Sabah DAP chief Jimmy Wong says that Malaysia is now giving birth to a two-party system and that just like childbirth, the prior 24 hours is crucial.

"So I urge all Malaysians and Sabahans to use your cameras, take pictures of anything suspicious and post it on Facebook .

"The ‘two-party system baby’ will be born at midnight on May 6, 2013.

"Take care of this ‘two-party system baby’, because through it, Malaysia will be born again," he adds.

2.30pm – Skudai:

After holding an emergency meeting, Southern University College board of directors decides to respect the decision of the two students not to lodge police reports over their claim they were sexually molested by BN supporters during an event attended by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak on April 29.

Board chairperson Teo Ah Khiang ( left ) says according to police, investigations into the incident can only be carried out if police reports are lodged.

However, Teo claims that the BN operations centre and Johor state secretary have followed up on the incident after receiving a complaint from the college.

He also apologises to the two students, their parents and the society over the incident.

Yesterday evening, board deputy chairperson Tan Liang Soong blasted politicians who said the allegations may be fabricated, demanding them to stop speculation.

Asked whether the criticism was targeted at MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek who has reportedly made such a remark earlier, Tan ( below ) said he was referring to other politicians as well.

However, at a press conference in Labis, Chua rubbished claims that he had said the alleged molest incident was a fabrication, claiming he was misquoted by the media.

"I said they should make a police report so a thorough investigation can be conducted... If there is no police report then anyone can say anything."

Chua said if the incident was true, then MCA expresses its regret and condemns the it.

2.05pm - Ampang Jaya, Selangor: Malay translated editions of Deepak Jaikishan's Black Rose are widely circulated among the Friday prayer congregation at the front steps of the entrance to the main prayer hall.

Aside from the book, free copies of other Pakatan Rakyat-printed newspapers, such as Suara Keadilan and Bangkit , are also available for people to pick up.

The imam of the mosque - who does not wish to be identified - in his Friday khutbah (sermon), mentions the obvious lopsided coverage by mainstream media, namely television broadcasts that have been consistently airing pro-BN news.

Thus implying that the obvious, right choice for the people is the BN coalition, while simultaneously coloring a negative picture on Pakatan Rakyat's election campaign and candidates.

1.30pm - Batu Sapi: The billboards of the PAS Batu Sapi candidate Hamzah Abdullah and DAP Karamunting candidate Calvin Chong have been vandalised.

Hamzah's billboard is spray-painted with the words 'F**k' and 'Tatap', the latter of which is a Sabah BN battlecry.

Chong's billboard has been spray-painted with the word 'Babi'.

Meanwhile, in Kota Kinabalu Sabah DAP chairperson Jimmy Wong said the state DAP has spent under RM1 million while he estimates that the BN in Sabah have forked out closer to RM1 billion for the campaign.

Wong added that donations collected in ceramah in urban areas- the largest tally being around RM24,000- barely covers 30 percent of expenses with most channeled to more rural areas the DAP is contesting,  like Melalap where ceramah-goers may not be able to donate as much.

1.15pm - Kuala Lumpur:

Three explosives are discovered at a DAP pondok near the Jinjang market today says PKR vice president Tian Chua.

He says police have defused the situation by detonating the bombs safely.

“The explosives were ignited by the police. The explosives were placed in a biscuit tin. I am glad that it did not go off and injure people,” says Chua in a statemement.

“I am currently at the location together with Tan Seng Giaw and Lim Lip Eng. We hope to assure the people it’s safe and the police are doing all they can to get to the bottom of it,” he says.

He added that he and other incumbent Pakatan Federal Territories MPs met with the Election Commission over the indelible ink issue, but “again they refused to demonstrate the usage of the ink to us”.

However, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar, at a press conference today, denied the bombs were detonated as they were fake.

Meanwhile in Seri Kembangan, Malaysiakini observes a side street cordoned off, with 15 to 20 policemen, four cruisers, and triangular ‘danger, explosives’ sign put up. 

DAP’s state candidate Ean Yong Hian Wah says the incident happened at 10am, according to a local source.

He said an Indonesian worker discovered the bombs - placed in a box- on a chopping board at a roast duck shop with the words “Awas Bom (beware bomb)” written on it.

According to him, the box, containing battery, wire and nails, was later detonated by police.

“The scene is 500 metres from our ceramah tonight. We suspect it was meant to target us in order to create fear among voters.”

12.00pm - Sibu: Both BN Sibu candidate Vincent Lau and Lanang candidate Tiong Thai King have complained that they sat on chairs on which upright toothpicks had been stuck.

According to Sin Chew Daily , the mischievous incident happened at a local hawkers association’s dinner last night when the duo arrived and sat down.

They have criticised the “low standard act” and Tiong says that he might lodge a police report over the matter.

It is reported that the organiser had checked the CCTV cameras and found that two youths were acting suspiciously at the time, but there were no clear view of them placing toothpicks on the chairs.

11.55am - Segamat: PKR's Segamat candidate Chua Jui Meng says the police had made the National Union of Bank Employees (Nube) to end its Segamat picket due to political pressure.

"I do not blame the police, but as revealed by former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan, there is a lot of political interference in the police force.

Chua ( left ) points out during a press conference in Segamat that Nube had picketed in over 30 places nationwide, but that this was the first time they had been stopped by the police.

He also expresses concern that military personnel and the police may be able to vote for a second time on May 5 because the so-called indelible ink used during advance voting has been reported that it could be wash off.

"In Segamat, I hope we will have enough polling agent and counting agent (PACA) officers and I urge voters who have voted on that day not to go home and remain near the polling station to deter foreigners from voting illegally," he adds.

11.30am - Penang: At the iconic Kek Lok Si temple, over 100 Pakatan Rakyat supporters, including DAP leaders and onlookers, gather to witness the ‘bald protest’ against money politics led by Lim Guan Eng’s wife Betty Chew.

"This event is organised by those who are against money politics, by our supporters and not by the party," says a freshly shaven Chew.

10.30am - Gelang Patah: During a people's unity rally held by the home ministry at the outdoor car park of Sutera Mall, BN parliamentary candidate Abdul Ghani Othman again accuses the opposition of bringing in "an extremist political culture" to Johor to split the people here.

"I urge Johor folks to fight all out against this extremist culture brought into Johor," he tells some 2,000 audience who are members of security forces and RELA corps, adding that they should defend the "Johor way".

He says the "foreign culture" imported by the opposition into the BN stronghold state is to create hatred among the people.

However, Ghani stressed, the strong unity among Johoreans has been reflected in the political support to BN when the ruling coalition garnered 63 percent of the popular votes in the state in 2008 despite the political tsunami which hit the northern and southern peninsula.

10.14am - Kota Kinabalu:

Another Sabah PKR division leader has defected to BN, this time in Papar.

The Borneo Post today reports that Abdul Aziz Abdul Hamid now joins three other former PKR division leaders who defected soon after nomination day.

Papar is contested by new Pakatan Rakyat ally PPPS’ candidate and political veteran Yahya Lampong on the PKR ticket.

He is going against incumbent deputy health minister Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin whose service track record is likely to push her first past the finish line.

The daily also reports that Api-api Independent candidate Marcel Jude Joseph ( right ) has filed a lawsuit against the Election Commission (EC) to seek removal of an alleged 60,673 "dubious" names in the Sabah electoral roll particularly in Api-api, Luyang and Kota Kinabalu.

The lawyer says these include entries with incomplete addresses, similar names appearing more than once, wrong gender etc.

He says he is applying for the election results to be quashed if the polls go ahead without the names removed and a refund of the RM8,000 deposit if he does win the election.

Api-api and Luyang are state constituencies under the Kota Kinabalu parliamentary constituency.

10.00am - Penang: Incumbent Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s wife Betty Chew will lead a delegation of supporters to shave their heads bald in protest against money politics. The event will be held at the world famous Kuan Im Pavillion at Kek Lok Si temple.

At 11am, Lim and his entourage of 39 other candidates vying for the 40 state seats and another 12 (not including himself) contesting the 13 parliamentary seat will take their oath of integrity at the Speakers Square, Esplanade.