Reporting by Susan Loone, Low Chia Ming and Radzi Razak
Nomination day for the Bukit Gelugor parliamentary seat by-election has finally arrived, with the various candidates gathering at Dewan Sri Pinang, along Light Street, Penang, to file their papers from 9am today.
Speculation the past few days have been on how many candidates will contest the parliamentary seat, left vacant by the untimely death of Karpal Singh, the former Bukit Gelugor MP, on April 17.
Karpal won the seat thrice since 2004, and in the May 5 general election last year, retained the seat with a formidable 41,778-vote majority against MCA's Teh Beng Yeam.
Currently, five individuals have expressed their interest in vying for the late veteran lawyer’s set - Karpal’s third son Ramkarpal Singh of the DAP, Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) vice-president Huan Cheng Guan and independent hopefuls Mohamed Nabi Bux, Yacoob Mohd Noor and Abdul Bakar Sidek.
Although MCA has pulled out of the race, Prime Minister and BN chairperson Najib Abdul Razak has indicated there may be a BN-friendly candidate.
Who is this BN-friendly candidate?
LIVE REPORTS
10.45am: EC chief Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof says the entire nomination process has been smooth and without any unpleasant incident.
“We received five nomination forms but one of the independent candidates was rejected as he failed to pay his deposit on time. So, it's a four-cornered fight.
"We didn't receive any nomination from BN.
"But regardless if they are independent or party candidates, they need to follow all regulations during their campaign.
"They can't just do whatever they like. For instance if they want to organise an outdoor gathering or give political speeches, permission from the OCPD is required," Aziz said.
He also advised Bukit Gelugor voters, especially those voting at centres with more than 10,000 voters, to vote at different times during polling day to avoid congestion.
"You can vote after lunch. Don't come all at the same time," he said.
Aziz pointed out that election rules prohibit the use of musical instruments or loudspeakers during nominations. Drums and loudspeakers had been spotted earlier.
"These are not allowed under the law and we hope party leaders can advise their supporters not to violate election regulations during nomination and the campaign period."
However, Aziz added, it was up to the police to investigate and propose any action to the Attorney-General's Chambers as the EC could only report the offence, since it is not an enforcement body.
10:45am: The DAP leaders vows to work hard for the by-election, saying they will not view lightly the candidacy of the independents.
Even so, Ramkarpal himself is confident that with the help of the voters and fellow Pakatan allies, he will win with an even higher majority then his late father.
“All Pakatan members expect victory. I do not see why not (over possibility of obtaining a higher majority),” he said during a press conference at the Dewan Sri Pinang lobby.
10.30am: In a case of apparent miscommunication, a group of DAP members and Tamil press reporters angrily confront independent candidate Abu Backer for saying the word "pariah" (a derogatory term for Indians).
Abu Backer Sidek had been trying to explain that he was one of the lawyers who disagreed with former Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga over street demonstrations that were attended by a multiracial crowd.
However, Abu Backer said, he did not agree when some who labelled the Malays as "bangsat", Chinese as "useless" and Indians as "pariah".
As he was saying this, the group descended upon him and angrily asked him to withdraw his "pariah" statement.
"Why you use the word pariah, why do you say it against Ambiga?
"You are a candidate, how can you talk like this? This is racist and insulting," they yell, threatening to lodge police reports against him if he refused to apologise.
Abu Backer then patiently clarifies that he did not label Ambiga or the Indians as "pariah".
He said he respects those who bring issues professionally to the Selangor assembly, such as PKR president and Kajang assemblyperson Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
However, he only got as far as saying, "the Indians should be protected as they are a marginalised community..", before the group interrupted, insisting he apologise.
Abu Backer refuses to do so and welcomes the group to lodge a police report.
10.22am: Independent candidate Lim Chee Koon ( right ) is disqualified after the money for his deposit failed to arrive.
With this, returning officer Anuar Yahya announces four candidates will vie for the Bukit Gelugor seat - Ramkarpal Singh, Huan Cheng Guan Mohamed Nabi Bux and Abu Backer Sidek Mohammad Zan .
10:05am:
Penang police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi visits the candidates’ tents to express his thanks for an incident-free nomination process.He also spends some time meeting and chatting with the Pakatan and PCM leaders and the independent candidates.
“It's all good,” Rahim says with a smile to Malaysiakini when asked on the day’s progress
10am: Election Commission (EC) officer Annuar Yahya announces that nominations have closed for the Bukit Gelugor parliament seat. Five candidates have submitted their papers.
These are DAP's Ramkarpal Singh, Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president Huan Cheng Guan, and independent candidates Mohamed Nabi Bux, Abu Backer Sidek Mohammad Zan ( right ) and Lim Chee Khoon.
Earlier, EC chief Abdul Aziz says he was expecting several independent candidates.
Questions abound as to who is the BN-appointed independent candidate as Prime Minister and BN national chief Najib Abdul Razak said yesterday the coalition was mulling sending one to the Bukit Gelugor by-election.
But so far, no one had admitted to being the one in question.
9.51am: Lim Chee Khoon, 52, a marketing consultant, enters the nomination centre to try to submit his nomination form.
He claims himself an independent candidate from the Penang Front Party, which is yet to be registered.
If successful, this will make him the third independent hopeful in the race for the Bukit Gelugor seat.
However, only four candidates are invited by the EC to draw their ballot number and Lim was left out.
Lim, who is a former Gerakan member, said he will hold a press conference later to explain his status.
9.50am: Another independent candidate Abu Backer Sidek Mohammad Zan, 46, arrives and is submitting his nomination form.
"Im a ordinary citizen and a Penang boy who is serving in Kl, just like Ram (karpal),” says the practising lawyer.
"I had been practising for 23 years and have fought a few cases with the late Karpal Singh. I will fight for the religion, all races and nation.
"I'm an independent candidate and not representing any parties."
9:25am: PKR vice-president hopeful Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin ( left ) is here rallying the crowd to cheer for a bigger DAP majority in this by-election.
The Bukit Katil MP says that Karpal Singh's legacy must be carried forth.
Backers shout back: 'Hidup Pakatan' (Long live Pakatan) and 'Tumbang Bebas' (Defeat the independent candidate) as BN has not sent a candidate this time around.
9.15am: Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng says the party cannot afford to be complacent in this by-election as there might be surprises.
He notes that BN might send proxies as independents to contest the polls.
Saying while the choice to contest or not is part of the democratic process, he lambasts BN, for saying it may send an independent candidate despite declaring it will not be contesting the seat.
"They think they are smart by being neither here nor there but I want to tell them that by being neither here nor there, they are nowhere.
"What is BN thinking? They have no principles and no courage. Win or lose is normal but at least have courage.
"By doing this, they seem to treat this by-election and the democratic process as a game. But I want to tell them, don't play-play!" he says.
9.10am: Independent candidate Mohamed Nabi Bux and PCM’s Huan Cheng Guan enter the nomination centre to submit their nomination papers.
Among those accomanying Mohamed Nabi is Kita president Zamil Ibrahim ( right ), formerly of PKR, who says "I come to support any candidate who is not from DAP".
A supporter, who wants only to be named as Mohamed, says he is not from PAS but supports the candidate "because he brings the agenda of Islam".
"We are from Bukit Gelugor and have known Nabi Bux for about four years," adds the 51-year-old man, who says he works independently.
9:02am: The Pakatan Rakyat procession with candidate Ramkarpal arrives at the nomination centre.
He enters along with PAS' Abdul Hadi, DAP's Lim, PKR's Wan Azizah and other leaders.
Not less than 500 Pakatan leaders and supporters remain outside,
beating the drums and kompang, while holding "I am Karpal Singh" banners and DAP flags.
Meanwhile, Aziz says the situation in today’s nomination appears calm, compared with previous by-elections, with a relatively lower turnout.
"We prepared tents for them and normally it will fill up with people by 8am. But now, two minutes after nomination started, not so many of them are here.
"It looks like there is no election at all," he jokes.
Even so, Aziz denies the low turnout is due to today being a working day, saying "nope, we have done this before (on a working day)."
8.55am: Dewan Sri Pinang - Independent candidate Mohamed Nabi Bux walks to the nomination centre.
He is accompanied by about 100 supporters carrying banners in support for hudud, the Islamic system of punishment, which reads: "Hudud in Penang 2020".
8:50am: Esplanade - Chinese drums and Malay kompang are heard blasting away in front of Jalan Kota Lama, heralding the start of the Pakatan Rakyat team's march towards nomination centre.
A police officer on duty tries to forbid the marching music but later relents after being talked to.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail lead the procession towards Dewan Sri Pinang.
8.40am: Dewan Sri Pinang - PCM's Huan Cheng Guan arrives at the nomination centre together with 30 supporters bearing the party flags.
They are directed to wait at one of the canopies outside which have been prepared by the EC, until the centre opens for nomination.
8:35am: Speaker's Corner - DAP candidate Ramkarpal Singh arrives in a four-wheel drive, accompanied by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, his brothers Gobind Singh Deo and Jagdeep Singh, as well as several Pakatan Rakyat leaders
He will begin his march to the nomination centre in 10 minutes, with no less then 500 supporters and Pakatan leaders.
8:15am: Speaker's Corner - Some 200 people, comprising PKR and PAS leaders, DAP supporters and public wait for Ramkarpal Singh.
Among leaders sighted are PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail ( left in picture ), Azmin Ali, state exco Dr Afif Bahardin, Penang PKR Chief Dr Mansor Othman and PAS' Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff and Mujahid Yusof Rawa.
Several hundred more poeple are expected to arrive before they begin their march towards Dewan Sri Pinang, some 300metres away.
Goddess of Mercy Temple, Pitt Street - Huan lights a joss stick and prays for a peaceful by-election. "I also pray I won't lose my deposit," he jokes.
When pressed if he is a BN-friendly candidate, he shoots back: "(Penang Chief Minister) Lim Guan Eng is more BN-friendly than I am, taking selfies and hugging BN leaders."
He advises anyone who has grouses with the Penang government, to join him in battle.
"I know I am going to lose, but the struggle must go on. I may not even have enough counting agents as we don't have so much money but we will see this battle through," he adds.
He gets ready to march to the Dewan Sri Penang with 30 supporters carrying the PCM flags.
8.10am: Dewan Sri Pinang - Election Commission (EC) chief Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof ( right ) arrives and inspects the preparation for the nomination process.
He then shows a piece of paper to the media, with all the available logos for independent candidates printed on it.
"I show this because it seems like there will be alot of independent candidates," he says.
8am: Lebuh Cina - Huan is spotted having breakfast in "Peace and Joy" coffee shop along Lebuh China with his entourage of about 10 supporters.
As he is enjoying a bowl of wan tan mee, he is asked by reporters: "Are you the BN-appointed independent candidate?"
Huan denies it, saying, "I am contesting under my party logo, I am not an independent candidate".
Dewan Sri Pinang - Meanwhile, there is already heavy police presence at the nomination centre.
Farquhar Street and Light Street are turned into one-way roads, with traffic diverted towards Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling.
Several reporters are spotted taking selfies in front of Dewan Sri Pinang.
7.30am: It's a bright and sunny day today as the candidates for the Bukit Gelugor parliamentary street by-election gather at different spots to march to Dewan Sri Pinang to file their nomination papers.
