GE14 | As BN chairperson Najib Abdul Razak announced the ruling coalition’s manifesto in front of a 40,000 crowd in Kuala Lumpur last night, a BN Youth motorcycle convoy rode around in Johor's Ayer Hitam parliamentary constituency over 200km away.

Dubbed ‘Briged Gempur 2314’ – translating as ‘Battle Brigade,’ with the numbers a reference to BN getting a two-thirds majority in the 14th general election – over 100 motorcyclists gathered for a show of strength for incumbent Ayer Hitam MP and MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong.

In GE14, Wee is facing a stiff challenge from Johor DAP chief Liew Chin Tong, who moved from the neighbouring parliamentary seat of Kluang.

After ending their prayers at 9pm, the riders – composed mostly of Umno youth members – gathered in Parit Botak.

They were clad in BN’s trademark blue, with some bearing the coalition's flags on the backs of their motorcycles.

The riders were reminded by a BN Youth leader to remain civilised during the convoy.

“One line can only have four motorcycles. You must wear helmets and do not overtake each other...The motor convoy must cooperate with each other.

“This is to show BN Youth are civilised,” he briefed the convoy, although he was ignored by some riders who revved their accelerators.

After 20 minutes, the convoy moved in a large group along Parit Botak, past Kampung Parit Haji Ali, and crossed a small bridge to reach their final destination – Parit Londang Darat, under the shade of oil palm trees.

Ayer Hitam Umno chief Samsol Bari Jamali welcomed the convoy, and shook hands with every rider.

While waiting for the ceramah to start, the crowds were treated with traditional kampung food and drink, such as grilled fish, otak-otak, boiled cassava, mee rebus and rose water.

A big screen was set up to broadcast Najib's announcement of BN manifesto live.

‘Mampus DAP’

Soon after, Ayer Hitam Umno Youth chief Fauzani Salubin and MCA division chief Ling Tian Soon were invited to give speeches.

Samsol, the last to speak, said he was inspired by the crowd gathered at the warung to watch the broadcast.

Training his guns at DAP, Samsol lambasted Liew for only turning up in Kampung Parit during election season.

“I want all to tell Liew, do not underestimate the 58 percent of Malay voters (in Ayer Hitam). Reject DAP, this is our kampung. We take care of our own kampung.

“Soon, Liew will come over and start greeting all of you. But we reject him, mampus (to hell with) DAP,” added the incumbent Semarang assemblyperson.

In his speech, he repeatedly reminded his audience that although DAP may drop its ‘rocket’ symbol to contest under the PKR flag in the coming election, the party remained the same.

Samsol also predicted that Liew will contest in both parliamentary and state seats to ensure he can still enter the state assembly if he loses in the battle of Ayer Hitam.

“Liew will contest in a state seat, he thinks he is Superman and we are fools. He can win in Kluang, but not in Ayer Hitam,” he said to the crowd, and was met with repeated cries of “reject DAP.”

After a 30-minute speech, Samsol distributed lucky draw prizes. At least 20 riders won helmets and safety vests. The event ended at 11.30pm.

Located in central Johor, Ayer Hitam’s 46,249 voters are 57.9 percent Malay, 38.1 percent Chinese and 3.9 percent Indian.

During the last polls, Wee won by 7,310 vote majority with strong support from Kampung Parit, which is located in the state seat of Semarang.

This is despite MCA losing the Chinese-majority Yong Peng state seat, also located under the same parliamentary constituency.

Kampung Parit villagers make up 40 percent of Ayer Hitam voters, which Harapan must court if their ‘Malay tsunami’ against BN is to come to pass.