Here are the key headlines you may have missed yesterday.

BN goes all out ahead of advance voting

BN is pulling out all the stops ahead of advance voting with Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi promising to upgrade the General Operations Forces into a full-fledged department and increasing their allowances - depending on who they "cross" for in the Sarawak state election.

Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem also announced that he has secured an assurance from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak that the government will drop its appeal against the Kuching High Court decision that allowed a Sarawakian to convert from Islam to Christianity.

BN is also not letting its guard down, with PBB deputy president Abang Johari Abang Openg describing DAP's warning that it may lose seven seats as a ploy to motivate itself.

Sarawak's great opposition blockade

Sarawak's blockade of opposition leaders continued with Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar being deported on arrival, despite having written to Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem for permission as requested.

An upset Nurul Izzah said there will be no more obliging to "bullies" or appeal letters.

PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, who is no longer allowed to enter Sarawak effective May 2, slammed Adenan for thinking Sarawak is his "father's" state.

PBB deputy president Abang Johari Abang Openg sarcastically responded that this is indeed the case and that Sarawak isn't Azmin's father's.

No end to inter-religious custody tussle

Police said they are unable to locate Muslim convert Mohd Ridhuan Abdullah despite the Federal Court order that Ridhuan be arrested for not producing his youngest daughter, who is the subject of an inter-religious custody battle.

Mohd Ridhuan's former wife Indira Gandhi vented her frustration on the inability of the police to locate her ex-husband and daughter.

Other Kini bites

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar slammed DAP's call to bar West Malaysian police officers and men stationed in Sarawak from voting in the state.

Amanah takes its member Zaidi Ahmad's switch to DAP in stride, stressing that it is not seen as a betrayal.

Looking ahead

The first ballots for the Sarawak election will be cast today as police and army personnel go for advance voting.

Unable to enter Sarawak, PKR leaders will be holding a press conference at their headquarters in Petaling Jaya to update on the state of the May 7 election.