DAY 2 | Don't just sit back and watch - Azmin urges Malays to vote

DAY 2 | It is Day Two of campaigning for the six state elections.

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

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Chow points out many prefer watching ceramah online
  

• Another Anwar poster defaced

• Altimet says he won’t rely on popularity

• PN’s Lunas candidate unperturbed by five-way tussle

• PN confident with Lau running in Malay-majority seat

• Rafizi challenges Bachok MP to debate on economy

• Ex-Chempaka rep refutes Nik Aziz’s brother’s claim

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This concludes our live blog for the second day of the state polls campaign.

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Azmin: I am not a traitor

10pm: Hulu Kelang, Selangor - Perikatan Nasional candidate for Hulu Kelang Azmin Ali denies ever being a traitor.

Instead, he tells a mini ceramah in Kampung Kemensah that the real traitor is the person who promised to reduce the price of petrol but didn't and appointed a kleptocrat as deputy when he said he would fight them.

While he doesn't mention names, it is understood that Azmin is referring to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

"How am I a traitor, how can you say that I ran away (from Bukit Antarabangsa seat)? The one who ran away was the one who ran from Permatang Pauh to (contest in) Port Dickson.

"I am not a traitor. When I do not support him, he calls me one,” Azmin says.

Don’t just sit back and watch - Azmin urges Malays to vote

9.45pm: Hulu Kelang, Selangor - Perikatan Nasional candidate for Hulu Kelang Azmin Ali tells Malay voters at Kampung Kemensah that Malay and Islam in the country are in a worrying state and thus, they should all come out to vote for the coalition on Aug 12.

"The Malay and Muslims cannot continue to only be observers.

"Until when do we want to take the back seat and just watch others do things that can belittle the position of the Malay and Muslims?

"This is why I ask all the Malays at Kampung Kemensah to come out (to vote). This is our opportunity, and if we do not take this opportunity that comes once in every five years, then do not blame others," he told a mini ceramah with about 50 people in attendance.

Chow points out many prefer watching ceramah online

9.30pm: Georgetown, Penang - Penang Pakatan Harapan chairperson Chow Kon Yeow says the low participation rate during a ceramah at the Penang Chinese Town Hall yesterday was not due to lack of support.

Instead, it is because more people preferred watching it online as this is the new norm compared to listening in person.

"We have Facebook Live, so the reach there is much bigger compared to physical (attendance).

"But we need to put in the effort, we also need to reach a wide target physically, yesterday was just the first day, and we have 13 more with various forms of more important activities, such as walkabouts,” he is quoted as saying by Bernama.

The Padang Kota candidate also refutes allegations that those who attended the talk left the hall when a DAP leader spoke in protest, stating that visitors had left as it was getting late.

Another Anwar poster defaced

8.40pm: Bakar Arang, Kedah - Another poster featuring Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his slogan “Malaysia Madani” has been vandalised.

This time the defaced poster is on one of the roads in Taman Keladi, with Anwar’s “face” cut out from the red bunting.

The Bakar Arang seat has been PKR’s stronghold since 2008.

The election in the state constituency this time round will see a three-cornered fight featuring Pakatan Harapan’s Adam Loh Wee Chai, Raymond Tai Kuang Tee (PN) and Tan Kee Chye (PRM).

Ex-MACC officer vows to end people’s woes

8pm: Lunas, Kedah - From investigating politicians to becoming one, independent candidate for Lunas Arichindarem Sinappayen vows to solve the people’s woes.

The retired MACC officer, 63, says he was called to enter the political arena after listening to locals’ grievances, which have not been addressed for years.

“I have worked the ground before the state polls and I have identified a few issues faced by the people such as drainage, licensing problems for vendors and bad road conditions,” he tells reporters during his walkabout in Taman Bunga Raya.

He is accompanied by his wife Ellamah Narayanasamy, relatives and family friends, who have been by his side since 7am without any sign of weariness.

Altimet says he won’t rely on popularity

6.30pm: Lembah Jaya, Selangor - Rapper-turned-PKR politician Syed Abdul Rahman Alhadad, better known as Altimet, says he is not going to rely on his popularity to win back the seat for Pakatan Harapan.

"Anyone who just relies on their popularity is someone who is not very smart," he tells reporters while on a walkabout.

He says while being popular is an advantage, efforts must also be made to minimise shortcomings.

Meanwhile, he says that anyone who sees him at a coffee shop should not assume he is not working, as he is actually spending time listening to the people and their problems.

PN’s Lunas candidate unperturbed by five-way tussle

6.15 pm: Lunas, Kedah - PN’s candidate Khairul Anuar Ramli appears to be unperturbed by the five-way battle in Lunas.

While acknowledging there are three independent candidates in the race, Khairul says the trio will not cause much stir to the election results.

“My main competitor is (Pakatan Harapan’s) Shamsul (Anuar Abdullah).

“I have been working the ground for years. But Shamsul is never seen visiting the people and voters.

“Although Lunas is PKR’s ‘traditional seat’, the political landscape in the country has changed,” the state PN information chief tells reporters after visiting the ill and elderly at Kampung Permatang Durian today.

Muda chief: Candidates’ asset declaration out soon

6pm: Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman reiterates that all of the party’s candidates are mandated to declare their assets.

At a press conference after the Muda annual general assembly, he says the party will publish the declarations soon.

“It’s mandated... In order for them to get the candidacy form, they have to declare their assets,” he tells reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

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Many voters complaining about Penang govt - Lau

5.30pm: Bayan Lepas, Penang - Voters give Gerakan president Dominic Lau plenty of feedback during his visit to Pasar Taman Sahabat today.

During his walkabout at Jalan Kolam Ikan this afternoon, he tells reporters that voters lodged many complaints about the caretaker government, including not receiving the RM30 subsistence allowance for fisherfolk.

On his visit to the night market last night, he says the Malay support for Perikatan Nasional is quite good.

Lau points out that he already met with PAS grassroots leaders to discuss the state election and PAS members are assisting in the campaign, but everyone's role varies depending on the situation.

PN confident with Lau running in Malay-majority seat

5pm: Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu admits that the decision to field Gerakan president Dominic Lau in Bayan Lepas had caused some disgruntlement.

"Many felt that the seat was better suited for a Malay candidate, but that is the beauty of PN, in which we field a non-Malay in a Malay-majority constituency.

“So, no reason to fret. Although there had been some dispute initially, once nominations were settled, the situation cooled off and we are confident of securing Malay support,” he says, according to Bernama.

Local PAS members have threatened to boycott Lau if he contests in the Malay-majority seat.

Yesterday, there were reportedly no PAS members among the PN supporters accompanying the Gerakan president to the nomination centre.

Village in Baling abuzz with replica of Nuri helicopter

2:45pm: Baling, Kedah - The peaceful village of Kampung Sungai Tembak A is experiencing an unusual surge of buzz, all thanks to a striking replica of a Nuri helicopter.

Wrapped in Perikatan Nasional's signature dark blue shade and proudly showcasing the coalition and PAS emblems, the helicopter replica also displays a poster of PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, and caretaker Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

According to Free Malaysia Today, the ‘helicopter’ has been around since Friday, drawing crowds from neighbouring towns and boosting the local economy as villagers sell food and drinks to visitors.

Crafted by NGO Gerak Amal Bersama, the replica cost around RM18,000 to construct and took seven months to complete. Visitors can take pictures and explore the 'chopper', which accommodates up to 10 people, for free.

Anwar’s poster vandalised in Lunas

2.30pm: Lunas, Kedah - A poster featuring Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has been vandalised in Kampung Permatang Tok Din - a stronghold area for PAS.

The red bunting displaying the words “Malaysia Madani” along with a portrait of Anwar is left with a large gaping hole.

The damaged poster is in front of a Petron petrol station in the village.

Lunas is the most “crowded” battleground in Kedah with five candidates joining the race.

Pakatan Harapan candidate Shamsul Anuar Abdullah will be going against Perikatan Nasional’s Khairil Anuar Ramli and three other independent candidates.

Students not blocked from being active in politics - Khaled

2pm: Students are not blocked from being actively involved in politics, including campaigning for the upcoming state polls, says Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin.

He reminds students that they have been given the freedom to be involved in politics since the last amendment of the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA).

However, Khaled warns that students should not bring party politics to campus.

“We are not ‘police officers’ who want to monitor students (in politics), we definitely do not want to control (the students), but do not bring party politics to campus.

“Aside from campaigning, the students are given the freedom to be in politics, they can even contest if they want to but that day (nomination day), there were none who wanted to contest, but we do not block them,” he says, as reported by Utusan Malaysia.

Dissatisfaction over candidacies temporary, says PN leader

1.10pm: The issues of dissatisfaction among Perikatan Nasional members over certain candidacies is only temporary, says PN deputy chairperson Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

PN will resolve these issues and will not let them affect their campaigning, he adds.

“Alhamdullilah, we overcame it well and we are always stressing to our members that the one contesting is our party. The candidates only represent us, and in the end, when we are in control of the state governments, we work as a team,” he says, as reported by Sinar Harian.

This is his response to the dropping of PAS’ Nik Mohammad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz as a candidate in Kelantan as well as the boycott from PAS members against Gerakan president Dominic Lau as the Bayan Lepas candidate.

Independent candidates ‘not much of a threat’ - Aminuddin

12.20pm: Independent candidates are “not much of a threat” in Negeri Sembilan, says Pakatan Harapan state chairperson Aminuddin Harun.

However, Harapan will not take them lightly, he adds.

This is his comment on former Seremban PKR deputy chief Rafie Ab Malek, who is defending his Ampangan seat as an independent candidate.

Rafie previously alleged a “certain individual” had tried to remove him from the state administration and hit out at the PKR leadership for not letting him defend Ampangan.

Ampangan will witness a three-cornered clash between Rafie, Harapan/PKR’s Tengku Zamrah Tengku Sulaiman who replaced him, and Perikatan Nasional candidate Muhammad Ghazali Zainal Abidin.

Sidam candidate’s father passes away

11.05am: Pakatan Harapan’s Sidam candidate Bau Wong Bau Ek says his father passed away last night at 9pm.

Bernama reports that Bau Wong’s 87-year-old father Bau Ek Endin Soon died from shingles and measles.

The funeral will be held on Aug 1, Bau Wong says.

Bau Wong is going toe-to-toe with the Perikatan Nasional candidate from Bersatu Juliana Abdul Ghani in Sidam.

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Rafizi challenges Bachok MP to debate on economy

10.15am: PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli challenges PAS’ Bachok MP Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman to a debate on the economy.

This comes after his challenge for a similar debate to Perikatan Nasional’s Azmin Ali and Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor was turned down.

“Azmin has turned it down, Sanusi has turned it down, I want to see if Syahir who is being touted as the number one economic figure in PN will step forward and we have given him plenty of space.

“I will write to him officially and I will await his answer,” Rafizi says, as reported by Harian Metro.

The economy minister says he will continue to ask PN representatives for debates as such a culture is important for the country’s renewal.

‘Be my guest’, says PM on possible motion of no confidence

9.15am: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says he does not fear facing a motion of no confidence in the Dewan Rakyat, unlike his predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin.

On the contrary, Anwar is willing to expedite the motion if it is tabled by shortening the notice period from two weeks to three days.

“When there was a motion of no confidence against him (Muhyiddin), he called for an emergency. If you want to challenge (me), be my guest,” he says, as reported by Free Malaysia Today.

Parliamentary sittings were suspended under the emergency called by Muhyiddin, who cited the Covid-19 pandemic at the time.

All eyes on Guan Eng and Chow

9am: Penang DAP held its first ceramah after the nominations last night. Amidst talks of factional fights, two prominent leaders, Chow Kon Yeow and Lim Guan Eng, were present and seemed united when they raised their hands together.

The ceramah, which took place at the Penang Chinese Town Hall, was to introduce 19 DAP candidates to the voters.

Caretaker chief minister Chow arrived before 8.30pm. About half an hour later, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang also arrived and sat next to Chow, and they could be seen engaging in conversation.

Guan Eng arrived at around 10pm shortly after his father Kit Siang left.

Many reporters seized the opportunity to capture the interaction between Guan Eng and Chow.

Altimet wants to resolve ‘unfinished business’ in Lembah Jaya

8.30am: PKR’s Lembah Jaya candidate Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman Alhadad, better known as rapper Altimet, says he wants to resolve “unfinished business” in the constituency formerly held by Haniza Talha.

He compares Haniza to a broken pipe that needs to be replaced, saying that he is willing to play the role of the replacement, as reported by Free Malaysia Today.

Haniza was with PKR when she won the seat in the 14th general election but has since been kicked out of the party after the Sheraton Move for allying with then PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali.

Altimet also says he wants to change the perception that entertainers are not serious about running in elections.

Ex-Chempaka rep refutes Nik Aziz’s brother’s claim

8am: Chempaka, Kelantan - Representing the party to contest in an election is not a family legacy but rather the continuation of a struggle, says former Chempaka assemblyperson Fathan Mahmood.

Even with no names mentioned, Fathan's remarks at a ceramah in Pengkalan Chepa last night could clearly be understood as a reference to a statement by Nik Din Nik Mat, the younger brother of the late PAS spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

"Prove that we're fighting for the party, not for personal gains.

"The legacy in our party (PAS) is built on the struggle, not of family descendants," said Fathan.

Yesterday, Nik Din had accused PAS vice-president Mohd Amar Abdullah of being the alleged "mastermind" behind a move that led to Nik Aziz's son, Nik Abduh, being dropped from contesting the seat once held by his father as then menteri besar.

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