These were not pirate ships flying the Jolly Roger, but instead were humble fishing vessels belonging to Muda supporters on Johor’s west coast.
For incumbent Muar MP and Muda president Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, it was a stark difference from the 2018 general election, when most folks in the constituency’s largest fishing village hoisted BN colours instead.
Among those who jumped ship was a 44-year-old who only wished to be known as Din.
Once a committee member in Muar Umno’s Parit Kedondong division, Din told Malaysiakini he was a long-time BN voter - even in 2018 when there was a revolt against the coalition.
However, he now spends his time working as a Muda officer, on top of his daily fishing activities, and looks forward to voting for Syed Saddiq for the first time.
Explaining his change of heart, the fisher said he withdrew support from BN due to...