GE14 | Malaysian badminton great Lee Chong Wei today attended an event with caretaker deputy prime minister cum BN's Bagan Datuk candidate Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. 

The event, named 'Gerak Mesra & Jati Diri Jabatan Imgiresen Malaysia Bersama Belia dan Masyarakat Bagan Datuk', was held by the Immigration Department, which falls under Zahid's portfolio as the caretaker home minister. 

Lee arrived at 9am and did warm-up exercises with youth who attended the event. 

Then he shared his experience of taking part in badminton tournaments and gave tips on how to cope up with stress, and take care of the body. 

When Zahid arrived about 9.45am, he shook hands with Lee, and both later sat together on the stage with other VIPs, which include BN Hutan Melintang candidate Khairuddin Tarmizi and Immigration Department chief Mustafar Ali. 

Around 500 people attended the event, some clad in black t-shirts given by the event organisers, while others in blue BN t-shirt. 

The organiser also gave sporting goods and equipments to a local youth society, which was presented by Lee and Mustafar. 

Zahid, in his speech, said Lee is a national icon and his achievement should be emulated by youngsters. 

"When the Immigration (Department) invited Lee Chong Wei to our event, it will encourage the children of Bagan Datuk to be a badminton champion one day. 

"He (Lee) is an icon to my children and grandchildren. He always comes to my house and gives rackets with his signature on it, to my grandchildren," said Zahid. 

Yesterday, Lee also attended an event in Bentong with MCA president cum Bentong candidate Liow Tiong Lai. 

Bagan Datuk is a rural constituency located at the mouth of Perak river, and is about two hours-plus drive away from Ipoh. 

It is a Malay majority seat with 60 percent Malay voters, 18 percent Chinese, 22 percent Indian, and one percent other races. 

Zahid, who won the seat in the 13th general election with 2,108 majority votes, or 12.3 percent, will face Pakatan Harapan candidate Pakhrurrazi Arshad, and PAS' Ata Abdul Muniem, on May 9. 

Bagan Datuk has two state seats, namely Rungkup and Hutan Melintang, which were won by Umno and PKR, respectively, in the last election. 

Umno has taken the Hutan Melintang seat (to contest) from MIC, in this election, and has vowed to wrest it back from PKR. 

According to locals, Bagan Datuk has in recent years, had seen development projects since Zahid became the deputy prime minister in July 2015.