DAY 8 | Titiwangsa: Johari declines Khalid's debate challenge

GE15 LIVE DAY 8 | Campaigning for the 15th general election is on its eighth day, leaving six more for candidates to make an impression on voters before they go to the polling booth.

Follow our live blog as the Malaysiakini team brings you the news as it takes place.

11.59pm: Thank you for following our live updates for Day 8 of the campaigning period in the lead-up to the Nov 19 polls. Follow us again tomorrow for Day 9.

Johari dismisses Khalid’s debate invite

8.45pm: BN candidate for Titiwangsa, Johari Abdul Ghani declines the invitation to join a debate against his opponent from Pakatan Harapan, Khalid Abdul Samad.

The debate was initially scheduled to be held tomorrow night at 8pm.

Johari says he is not interested to debate someone like Khalid and that his campaigning schedule is tightly packed.

“So what is Khalid Samad? What’s the subject matter? Youth? Youth is not relevant in this campaign.

“For three terms he was the elected representative in Shah Alam, what has he done (for the) youths? Nothing… so there is no need (to debate),” he says.

Instead, Johari says he would prefer to debate someone like PKR president Anwar Ibrahim or his deputy Rafizi Ramli.

DAP leaders sway Penang fans in an event

11.15pm: DAP’s political talk receives a warm response from the audience in Penang Chinese Town Hall tonight.

Among the speakers were Bukit Bendera candidate Syerleena Abdul Rashid, Tanjong candidate Lim Hui Ying, Jelutong candidate RSN Rayer, Batu Kawan candidate Chow Kon Yeow, Bukit Gelugor candidate Ramkarpal.

They were greeted with cheers and Harapan flag-waving from the audience, during the three hours talk.

Two songs were presented by Sungai Pinang assemblyperson Lim Siew Khim and Rayer, respectively.

More than 500 seats were prepared, and about 90 percent of them were occupied.

About 100 attendees decide to wait for Bagan parliamentary seat candidate Lim Guan Eng to arrive, who was late.

He finally arrived at 11.10, who was welcomed by the remaining attendees.

Khairy touts economy, education among Sungai Buloh voters

8pm: BN’s candidate for Sungai Buloh Khairy Jamaluddin tells a 1,000 people-strong crowd who are mainly Chinese audience to choose leaders who can bring prosperity to the country in GE15.

"It is okay whoever you choose, but we have to do it for the sake of prosperity and peace of the country," he says.

"Bank Negara Malaysia just announced a 14.2 percent of year-on-year GDP in the third quarter of 2022. We want more, we want to generate more jobs for businesses.

“You must vote for your own pocket as well, where we (want stronger) buying power. We must make sure our ringgit is stronger.

"So, (we must) have leaders not just for Malaysia and Malaysians, but also (who can fight for the country) globally and internationally," he says at the 95th anniversary of SJK(C) Sg Buloh.

Khairy adds that Chinese vernacular school is not just an institution for the Chinese community but were also national institutions, just like Tamil schools and national schools.

Greeting the crowd in Mandarin, he says, " Good evening, I am Khairy, your candidate. I am Health Minister and I was vaccine minister."

Elaborating, Khairy says Malaysia was unique as it has an education system that caters for all ethnic groups.

"And our children can speak many languages, my (eldest) son who is here, learned Mandarin since he was six," he says.

"I myself want to learn as many languages as possible," Khairy says in an eight-minute speech.

Khairy was well-received by the audience, and people of all ages come to him for a selfie.

A woman who took a selfie with Khairy says she will vote for him this time.

"Definitely I will vote for him because he is capable," she tells Malaysiakini.

‘I’m sorry’, Muhyiddin says over PAS leader’s statement

6.45pm: Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin apologises over Sik PAS Youth chief Mohd Shahiful Mohd Nasir’s statement that those who vote for BN or Pakatan Harapan will go to hell.

“I don’t really like making such statements. What’s important is to avoid making statements that could cause misunderstandings.

“To those who were offended, I apologise,” Muhyiddin says.

MetMalaysia issues heavy rain, thunderstorms warning

8.05pm: The Department of Meteorology (MetMalaysia) forecasts thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds in most parts of Peninsula Malaysia, Sarawak and parts of Sabah from tomorrow until the 15th general election (GE15).

MetMalaysia issued this reminder on its Twitter account this afternoon regarding weather patterns from Nov 13 until 19.

“Based on analysis of weather modeling, thunderstorms, as well as heavy rain and strong winds, are forecasted to take place at most parts of the Peninsula, Sarawak as well as west Sabah, especially from afternoon until night time throughout the forecasted period.

“The public are advised to always refer to the webpage www.met.gov.my and all social media, as well as download the application myCuaca for the latest and accurate information,” MetMalaysia advises in the Twitter post.

Harapan will resolve MA63 issues, Anwar says

8pm: Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim says the coalition will ensure issues related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) get resolved if they were to win in GE15.

Aside from amending the Federal Constitution, he says they will also implement various effective measures to implement MA63.

“In stating the need for a federal system, distribution of power is a must in the Constitution of the country that is considered a federation. This is not a strange issue for Sabah, Sarawak and the Peninsula.

“Collaboration between the state and federal (government) is critical. Give our candidates in Sarawak a strong voice (in Parliament) to work together with the state and federal for us to defend all Sarawakians,” Bernama reports him saying.

He adds that any discussion to cooperate with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) at the federal level will be held after GE15.

Share your information with us, MACC chief urges Rafizi

7pm: MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki reportedly says his agency will look into PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli’s allegations over wrongdoing in the award of contracts for flood mitigation projects.

It will determine, based on face-to-face reports and media reporting, whether there is a basis for an investigation. It has yet to decide whether to summon Rafizi for questioning, though the latter is welcomed to come forward to provide information.

“If the allegations are substantiated, we will conduct further investigation. For now, we will wait and see,” Bernama quotes him as saying after an investiture ceremony in conjunction with Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V's 53rd birthday.

Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man reportedly tells reporters at the same event that he is prepared to cooperate with the police and MACC on the matter if called to give a statement.

GRS probing Rubin Balang, Hajiji says

6.30pm: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) says action will be taken against Kemabong state assemblyperson Rubin Balang if he is found to be campaigning for his son Riduan Rubin, who is contesting in Tenom as an independent candidate, Bernama reports.

“Let’s wait for the report. If he is directly involved, we can take action. We have to be fair to all,” says GRS chairperson Hajiji Noor.

Rubin is Tenom Bersatu division chief while Riduan quit Bersatu a day before nomination on Nov 5, so no action can be taken against the latter according to party regulations, Hajiji adds.

Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) president Peter Anthony has since confirmed that Riduan has joined his party but would still contest as an independent in Tenom with the support of KDM machinery.

Peter had previously attempted to contest in Tenom but his candidacy was rejected by the Election Commission (EC) on nomination day.

Employability a concern among youths, Ong says

5.50pm: Warisan candidate for Pandan parliamentary constituency Ong Tee Keat believes that young voters are not only concerned with empowerment but also employability.

Speaking at the sidelines of a visit to residents of Dahlia Apartment here, the former transport minister says job opportunity counts for youths due to the issue of certain young adults dropping out from completing their higher education.

Having represented Pandan for two terms when he was with BN from 2004 to 2013, the former MCA president says students dropping out of higher education is not necessarily due to academic results but at times, due to lack of monetary resources.

Ong also notes that his outreach to youths is not just youth sloganeering "We embrace youths" but also accompanied by focusing on true youth empowerment - by ensuring their capability to earn a living.

Muhyiddin: I'm proud to be called ‘father of MCO’

5.30pm: Batu Pahat, Johor - Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin says he is proud to be called 'the father of MCO' because the implementation of the movement control order (MCO) during his time as prime minister had saved many lives from Covid-19.

"(Opposition leader) Anwar Ibrahim said I'm the father of MCO but he didn't realise that if during that time I didn't implement the MCO, many more lives would have been lost due to Covid-19.

"In Malaysia, 99 percent of Covid-19 patients recovered and went home safely, while the US recorded 1.6 million deaths.

"Anwar went to the same university as I did, which is Universiti Malaya, but he said 36,000 deaths in Malaysia is the biggest figure in the world, even bigger than 1.6 million," Muhyiddin says.

He adds that Malaysia's vaccine rollout plan was much faster than other countries in the region, and his PN government offered aid to make sure there was food on the table for the people when the economic sectors were temporarily shut down.

Warisan candidate meets residents in Pandan

5.25pm: Pandan, Selangor - Warisan’s Pandan candidate Ong Tee Keat is on a walkabout to meet residents of Dahlia Apartments amid a light drizzle.

The former MCA president is there to discuss with residents the issues they are facing in the mixed constituency.

BN-themed hot air balloon goes poof

4.30pm: Sungai Siput, Perak - Authorities have ordered the removal of a BN-themed hot air balloon ride shortly after it went up yesterday morning.

Photos of the balloon were circulated on social media yesterday.

However, when Malaysiakini arrived at the scene this afternoon, the balloon had already been take down.

READ MORE: BN hot-air balloon: Now you see it, now you don't

Police say over 430 ceramah illegally held yesterday

4.35pm: A total of 432 ceramah for GE15 were held without permits yesterday, compared with 46 the day before, according to police.

“We have also opened 14 investigation papers for various offences, including sedition, criminal intimidation and damaging flags and signs belonging to political parties and candidates yesterday,” says Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Hazani Ghazali, as reported by Bernama.

The police have also detained two individuals in Perak and Terengganu to assist in investigations, under Sections 427 and 435 of the Penal Code, for creating mischief, he adds.

Ku Nan laments vandalism of campaign materials

4.20pm: Putrajaya - BN’s Putrajaya candidate Tengku Adnan Mansor claims some of his campaign materials have been vandalised, Bernama reports.

Never before in his previous four electoral outings in the constituency did he experience election posters and BN’s campaign materials being painted over or crossed out with black paint, he laments.

Putrajaya district police chief A Asmadi Abdul Aziz reportedly confirms receiving two police reports on the matter and says they are being investigated under Section 427 of the Penal Code for mischief.

Human rights group throws support behind Harapan

3pm: Kuala Lumpur - In its continued fight for the preservation of human rights, the Malaysian Tamilar Kural Community Organisation is throwing its support behind Pakatan Harapan’s campaign.

The 500-strong group comes to the decision after taking into consideration members’ views.

Its national secretary-general Sarawanan Nagayah says the human rights and well-being of the people and country are a priority for the organisation, adding that members are even preparing to help campaign for Harapan candidates.

Kedah Amanah also reports PAS man for ‘hell’ remark

2.30pm: Alor Setar, Kedah - Amanah’s state chapter lodges a police report against Sik PAS Youth chief Mohd Shahiful Mohd Nasir over the latter’s statement that those who vote for BN or Pakatan Harapan will go to hell.

Kedah Amanah acting chairperson Ismail Salleh urges the police to investigate Shahiful because it is allegedly threatening and carries takfiri (excommunicational) elements that can lead to disharmony.

He says such statements are not an isolated incident, and instead have their roots in the longstanding ideology of PAS leaders.

“If we recall, this is nothing new since the 1980s. Remember the so-called ‘Amanat Haji Hadi’ (Hadi’s message) that has elements of takfiri thinking that condemns people willy-nilly, declares people unbelievers, and simply imposes guilt on people?” he adds.

Chong Wei plays friendly match with BN candidate

2.15pm: Tebrau, Johor - Former national shuttler Lee Chong Wei makes an appearance for a friendly match with BN’s Tebrau candidate Nicole Wong and her supporters. 

Taking to Facebook, Wong says the Malaysian love for badminton cuts across race and has been one of the nation’s uniting factors.

“Like the times when we gather at mamak stalls to watch Malaysian shuttlers play in international matches, we set aside any racial differences to shout: ‘Malaysia Boleh!’.

“I hope this spirit of sporting camaraderie can be translated into politics, that we are all working hard together towards the same goal of a better future,” she adds.

Cops arrest 2 over media harassment

2pm: Seremban, Negeri Sembilan - Police have reportedly arrested two people believed to be harassing a group of MalaysiaGazette reporters covering the election.

The news portal quotes Negeri Sembilan police chief Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof saying the two men are believed to be drunk at a restaurant in Seremban Jaya, where they threatened the reporters not to conduct reporting at that location.

One of the reporters was said to have been shoved and had items such as liquor bottles and shoes thrown at the journalist. Police intervened after receiving a report at 11.50pm last night.

Dzaffir has urged people to cooperate with party representatives campaigning in the election and media personnel covering the campaign to ensure a smooth and harmonious atmosphere for the election.

'Are PM hopefuls confident rakyat will choose them?'

1pm: Shah Alam - Gerakan Tanah Air’s (GTA) candidate for Shah Alam Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali says it’s premature for political parties to name their prime ministerial candidates and questions the predictability of them winning their parliamentary seats.

“How confident are you that the rakyat is going to choose you?

“Rule of law dictates that to be PM, one must first win in the election and then ensure they have enough support in Parliament.

“So do not belittle the rakyat’s right to choose their parliamentary candidate,” he adds.

He says although GTA is not naming its prime ministerial candidate, its chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad is helming the coalition’s race in GE15.

Be thankful you got a seat to contest, Zahid tells KJ

11.45am: BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says Khairy Jamaluddin should be thankful for being given a chance to contest in the Sungai Buloh parliamentary seat.

Zahid reveals that Khairy was not supposed to be allocated a seat in the first place as his incumbent Rembau seat is being contested by Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, who's more "qualified" for the job.

"I gave him (Khairy) a chance to contest in Sungai Buloh, even though it's not his place. As such, he needs to work hard to win the seat and contribute towards BN's ability to form a new federal government," Zahid was quoted telling reporters in Bagan Datuk last night.

Commenting on Khairy's remarks that he hoped to become prime minister one day, Zahid said it’s up to Khairy himself, adding that Khairy should also be accepted by the party and not go against it.

"We can have differences in opinion. But if one is constantly trying to show that one is the best, the cleverest, the wisest, then that's just 'perasan' (self-flattery)," the Umno president said.

Candidates prioritise flood relief efforts over campaign

10.30am: Bukit Mertajam, Penang - Flash floods hit parts of central Seberang Perai after unusually heavy rain yesterday afternoon.

Several campaign events were cancelled while candidates got themselves involved in flood relief efforts in various areas.

According to Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who is also a candidate for Batu Kawan, about 30 areas were affected, mainly in Bukit Mertajam and Juru.

The water level in some areas had receded this morning, he says.

Bukit Mertajam incumbent MP Steven Sim in a statement this morning says the rainfall around his constituency for yesterday reached 181mm.

A temporary flood relief centre in Bukit Teh has been opened for seven families comprising 22 victims, he adds.

Rafizi to file reports against PAS leader for ‘hell’ claims

9:50am: Ledang, Johor - PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli will lodge reports with the police and the Election Commission (EC) over Sik PAS Youth chief Shahiful Nasir's video speech alleging voters would "go to hell" for voting BN and Pakatan Harapan.

Rafizi says he will personally lodge the reports as a reminder to PAS not to politicise religion.

"He (Shahiful) thinks that by inciting and threatening people, by using religion to intimidate the Malays, that he could escape the law," the PKR man says at Mega Harapan ceramah last night.

Rafizi adds that PAS has contradicted itself because, in the past, the Islamist party claimed that a Malay candidate must be favoured over a Chinese one - regardless of their behaviour.

"Now PAS is claiming if Malay voters vote for Harapan and BN they'll go to hell. Well, PAS we have a problem in Sungai Petani because Harapan fielded a Malay candidate. Representing Perikatan Nasional (a coalition PAS is part of) is a Chinese candidate. So how are people meant to choose?"

Harapan's Mohammed Taufiq Johari is up against PN's Robert Ling Kui Ee in a five-cornered fight in Sungai Petani.

PN can’t win all parliamentary seats in T’ganu - Annuar

9.38am: It is “impossible” for Perikatan Nasional (PN) to win all eight parliamentary seats in Terengganu, says incumbent Ketereh MP Annuar Musa.

"I think it is impossible (for PN to take) all parliamentary seats. If you want to find out how 'bad' one is, ask their enemy. If you want to know how 'good' one is, ask their supporters," the communications and multimedia minister told reporters in Hulu Terengganu last night.

He was responding to incumbent Hulu Terengganu MP Rosol Wahid’s remarks on Thursday that PN could win all the parliamentary seats in Terengganu, given PAS' “excellent” track record of administering the state.

Rosol, who quit Umno to join Bersatu in December 2018, had also asked if BN could "only field" Rozi Mamat to face him in Hulu Terengganu.

To this, Annuar said that every candidate fielded by BN/Umno has their own strengths.

Anwar: Ismail Sabri should apologise, not me

9am: Pakatan Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim has told BN’s Ismail Sabri Yaakob that the caretaker prime minister is the one who should apologise to military personnel instead of him.

This is after Anwar alleged yesterday that he has "authentic information" that some military personnel who cast their early votes in Ismail Sabri’s incumbent parliamentary constituency of Bera were paid RM300 each.

In response, Ismail Sabri asked the PKR president to retract his allegation and apologise to the military personnel he had accused. The Election Commission (EC) had also asked Anwar to furnish proof of the alleged bribe to the MACC.

Speaking at a ceramah in Kuantan, Pahang, last night, Anwar said it is Ismail Sabri who should say sorry to the military, as "ships are not ready, helicopters don't get delivered, money for the military get stolen, so it is you (Ismail Sabri) who should apologise."

Candidate’s ex-teacher helps BN man campaign

7am: Tangga Batu, Malacca – BN’s Tangga Batu candidate Lim Ban Hong is getting help campaigning from this former teacher, the 78-year-old Md Shariff A Bakar, who is even allowing BN to hold talks at his home in Kampung Cheng.

“At this age, I shouldn't be campaigning or getting involved in politics but since Lim is my student and the former head prefect of my school, there is no problem for me to help him.

“Tomorrow (Saturday), the campaign to help Lim will be held at my house and I will be the speaker. This is how I can help him as his former teacher,” Bernama quoted him as saying yesterday.

Shariff praises Lim as being strict, fair, humble, and respectful to everyone, and has helped him with various issues since being appointed as head prefect in 1995.