DAY 4 | Over 2k gather for mega Penang PN ceramah featuring Hadi

DAY 4 | It’s day four of campaigning for the six state elections.

Malaysiakini reports live from the ground.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Anwar’s Tanjong Sepat ceramah attracts over 2k

• Thousands throng Penang PN’s mega ceramah

• Sanusi lampoons Anwar’s iconic Reformasi wave

• Ex-home minister wants cops to stump for PN

• DAP wants probe against Muhyiddin over alleged 3R speech

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

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Over 2k flock to Anwar’s Tanjong Sepat ceramah

11pm: Tanjung Sepat, Selangor - More than 2,000 people throng Dewan Muhibbah Tanjong Sepat - one of three venues in Selangor where Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is campaigning tonight.

The predominantly Chinese Malaysian crowd started to gather at around 8.30pm.

Urging Tanjung Sepat voters to back the incumbent PKR candidate Borhan Aman Shah, Anwar said Malaysia has become more stable under the coalition government comprising Pakatan Harapan, BN, and parties from Sabah and Sarawak.

“The rakyat of various races must unite and decide the path ahead for Selangor, where the people do not belong to Perikatan Nasional (PN).

“Selangor is politically peaceful and economically stable because of the unity government that brings together various races,” he said, while also recounting allegations of corruption and abuse of power implicating PN.

Harapan-BN unveils Penang election manifesto

10:30pm: Bagan Jermal, Penang - Pakatan Harapan and BN jointly launch their election manifesto for Penang.

The two coalitions also take the opportunity to introduce their candidate line-up to more than 1,000 people gathering at the event at Butterworth Arena.

For comparison, on the first day of campaigning, Penang DAP’s maiden ceramah only generated a lukewarm response and a turnout of only about 300 people.

Harapan candidate urges voters to end Azmin’s political career

10.30pm: Hulu Kelang, Selangor - Pakatan Harapan’s Hulu Kelang candidate, Juwairiya Zulkifli, urges voters to use their power to end Azmin Ali’s political career.

Speaking at a mini ceramah in AU3 Keramat, Juwairiya says the voters in Hulu Kelang are the real giant killers who will be able to defeat the former Selangor menteri besar for good.

“Some have asked if I will be a giant killer, but I don’t see it this way.

“Because the real giant killers are you, who hold the votes in Hulu Kelang. 

“I am merely a soldier who is entrusted to bring the Unity flag in Hulu Kelang, which will bring an end to Azmin’s political career,” she tells the crowd of some 70 people.

Thousands gather for mega PN ceramah in Penang

10pm: Sungai Dua, Penang - About 2,000 people have gathered in a field outside a mosque at Kampung Permatang Sungai Dua in anticipation of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s arrival.

He is expected to speak at the Ceramah Mega PN Best event here alongside PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad and other party leaders.

The relatively small canopy set up at the venue could not contain the crowd, which spills over to the rest of the field.

Stalls set up along the nearby street appear to be making a brisk business selling food, beverages, and PAS and Perikatan Nasional political paraphernalia such as T-shirts and headbands.

Apparently buoyed by the high turnout, organisers have announced collections with the aim of collecting RM10,000 in donations.

Most of PAS’ election candidates for Penang are present, as well as three non-Muslim candidates who are contesting as members of the PAS Non-Muslim Supporters Wing.

Gerakan president Dominic Lau is also at the ceramah.

PAS battleship prepares for broadside

9pm: Panchor, Kelantan - The normally nondescript Kampung Pulau Belanga has a new attraction - a massive battleship replica in PAS colours, complete with green display lights.

The vessel is “armed” with two guns - likely a symbol of incumbent Mohd Amar Abdullah's defence of the Panchor seat.

Amar, the caretaker Kelantan deputy menteri besar, is a heavy favourite to win a fifth term as the Panchor assemblyperson. 

He will be defending the seat in a straight fight against Kelantan PKR deputy chief Syed Mohd Alidustur Syed Mohd Zain, who is a Panchor local.

PN candidate to address video of shoving man tomorrow

8.20pm: Lunas, Kedah - A video depicting Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) candidate in Lunas, Khairul Anuar Ramli shoving a man is making the rounds on social media.

Khairul is scheduled to address the matter at a press conference tomorrow night.

Earlier, Khairul, who is also the state PN information chief, told Malaysiakini that he would respond to the matter at a later time as he was busy campaigning.

Certain quarters have also claimed that it is an old video.

Khairul will be battling in a five-way tussle against Pakatan Harapan candidate Shamsul Anuar Abdullah and three other independent candidates.

Sanusi justifies lack of development in Jeneri

7.15pm: Kuala Kedah, Kedah - Caretaker Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor defends the alleged lack of development in his state constituency of Jeneri.

The incumbent assemblyperson says that all twelve districts are “clustered” to be developed in various industries - Islamic education (Sik), agrotourism (Baling), logistics (Kubang Pasu), tourism (Langkawi), and industrial (Kulim), to name a few.

“To say that development is through physical buildings, it’s a very old school of thought. Development through education is considered development. And Sik (where Jeneri is under) is classed under the development of Islamic studies,” he tells reporters. 

Several Jeneri voters have lamented having to drive to neighbouring towns to have access to a bank, or even a proper market to sell their trade. 

Meanwhile, Sanusi also rubbishes a report quoting analysts claiming that the economies of Selangor and Penang will take a hit if Perikatan Nasional manages to form the government in those states. 

“If economies are based on (political parties), it would be the same across the world... There are developed states without Pakatan Harapan, and there are poor states without PN.

“This is a nonsensical analysis, without any basis. The economy is determined by a lot of influences, (political) party only plays a small role in that,” he says.

‘I’ll respond later,’ says PN’s Lunas candidate on shoving video

6.40pm: Lunas, Kedah - A video of Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) Lunas candidate, Khairul Anuar Ramli, shoving a man is making its rounds on social media. 

However, certain quarters claim that it’s an old video.

Khairul, who is also the state PN information chief, tells Malaysiakini that he will respond to the matter at a later time as he is busy campaigning.

Despite being pressed for an immediate response and told that the video could cast him in a negative light, he replies, “It’s okay, it's okay, I’ll respond later.”

Over two weeks ago, he was accused of offering cash to a constituent in “exchange for a vote” in the state polls.

Khairul has since denied such claims, saying he will take legal action against those who spread slanderous and false statements against him.

Account seizures put odds against PN in Penang, says Gerakan

6pm: Penang - The MACC’s seizure of Bersatu’s bank accounts earlier this year reportedly put Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) campaign on the back foot in Penang, compared to their Pakatan Harapan rivals.

According to Oriental Daily, Penang Gerakan chief Oh Tong Keong said that they have received no funding and campaign materials for the coalition and that the flags they have put up are reused from the previous election.

“Not only do we lack the funds to put up banners, flags, and promotional materials, but the flags you see now are the ones we recycled from last year.”

He admitted that the PN is at a disadvantage in the banners strategy in Penang but he still hopes that the voters will give them a chance.

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Sanusi uses 'Anwar wave' to bait PM

6pm: Kuala Kedah, Kedah - Caretaker Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor yet again raises his hand - similar to the iconic pose made by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during the Reformasi movement.

To a crowd of over 500 at a “Sembang Santai” event today, he urges the crowd to do the same as to depict “the actual situation” to Anwar. 

“This is the rakyat’s wish for him to step down. It is not just mine,” he says, as most of the crowd raises their hands in response.

No problem finding MB candidate for K’tan - Ahmad Yakob

5.15pm: Kota Bharu, Kelantan - Caretaker Kelantan menteri besar Ahmad Yakob says PAS will have no problem finding a menteri besar candidate to replace him after the state polls this Aug 12.

Ahmad, who has held the state's top executive post since 2013, tells a media conference that any person who wins a state seat will be eligible to helm the office.

"There is no need for me to give a hint, anyone (who wins a seat in the state polls) can be the menteri besar. They can be an exco, they can be the menteri besar..." he is quoted as saying by Utusan Online.

Ahmad, who is defending his Pasir Pekan state seat, recently indicated his plan to step down from the menteri besar post and give way to a younger leader.

PAS needs to focus on winning the election first, he says, and they will announce who will be the next Kelantan menteri besar after securing victory.

Hamzah: Anwar needs to lie to live

1.45pm: Sungai Panjang, Selangor - Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin calls Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim a compulsive liar.

"Today he lies, tomorrow he lies, every day he lies. Why does he need to lie every day?

"Because that is like vitamins for him. If he doesn't lie, he'll get sick," he said at a Perikatan Nasional machinery event here last night.

Hamzah also says that because so many are suffering now, the people have given the prime minister many unflattering nicknames, including "kunyit" (turmeric).

Kunyit is a euphemism for homosexual sex.

Ex-home minister urges police to promote PN

1.40pm: Sungai Panjang, Selangor - Former home minister Hamzah Zainudin is urging police officers on the ground to promote Perikatan Nasional among their friends and family members.

“Tell your children, your family, and your friends, that the former home minister who used to look after the police said PN has better plans,” Hamzah (above) said at a PN machinery event here last night.

The PN secretary-general ended his speech by asking the supporters to stand up before saying: “Police officers, take their pictures, show them to the prime minister that the people have risen.”

On July 24, Hamzah bragged that his "friends in the police" told him that PN was actually leading in the Selangor state election.

Gerakan reps to quit if PN bans alcohol, gambling in Penang

1.30pm: Pantai Jerejak, Penang - Gerakan deputy president Oh Tong Keong vows that their party-elected state representatives will resign en masse if alcohol and gambling are banned in the state if Perikatan Nasional comes into power.

The PN’s candidate for Pantai Jerejak tells media after visiting the constituency that although Gerakan and PAS are working partners, Gerakan will step forward to condemn the Islamist party if it makes inappropriate remarks.

"Do you see the DAP daring to criticise Umno, even Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim? He raised the issue of university quotas, but the DAP has not made any statement about it," says Oh, as reported by Oriental Daily.

Oh says before the last general election, the DAP used to criticise Umno, but after the last general election, they started calling Umno the perfect party.

“People should reject such unprincipled party.”

Bersatu leader rues GE15 'rejects' being fielded

1.05pm: Bersatu supreme council member Muhammad Faiz Na'aman has voiced dissatisfaction over the party's pick of those "rejected" in the 15th general election to contest in the upcoming state polls.

According to Faiz, he personally raised the issue with party president Muhyiddin Yassin, as well as in meetings, but was told the candidates' pick was final.

He cited the "undeserving" candidates as Azmin Ali, who is contesting in Hulu Kelang, Rina Harun (Batu Tiga), Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif (Bukit Antarabangsa), and Dr Afif Bahardin (Taman Medan).

"The problem happened in the Malacca and Johor state elections, where we lost out in picking the 'right' candidates. Data presented in the meeting showed they had support while post-mortem proved otherwise. I see this issue repeating (for the state polls)," Faiz (above) told Utusan Malaysia last night.

Kelantan to proceed with free bus initiative for students

11.50am: The Kelantan state government will proceed with its free bus services for higher education students to return and vote in the upcoming state elections on Aug 12.

This is despite the caution raised by MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki against the initiative, as it could encourage corruption.

"This is our promise to the rakyat. Now is (semester) break season and a lot of students will be going back to their hometowns.

"If any student from Kelantan is still in need of help to go home to fulfil their responsibility, we are willing to help," Utusan Malaysia quoted Kelantan caretaker menteri besar Ahmad Yakob telling a press conference after attending an event in Tanah Merah, last night.

Wondering why certain quarters were questioning the "noble" move, Ahmad further urged for guidelines to be provided on the matter, to facilitate state administration to help their voters.

Don't prolong Nik Abduh's exclusion - Kelantan PAS chief

11.30am: The issue regarding former Bachok MP Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz not being fielded in the upcoming state election need not be prolonged any longer.

This is because the matter has been settled, said Kelantan PAS commissioner Ahmad Yakob.

"The issue has been settled... no need to prolong it, we are all friends," Utusan Malaysia quoted the state caretaker menteri besar as saying at a programme in Tanah Merah, last night.

Yesterday, Nik Abduh announced that he will be "fasting" and taking a break from politics for an unspecified period.

Earlier, Nik Din Nik Mat, the brother of Nik Abduh's late father Nik Abdul Aziz, accused PAS vice-president Mohd Amar Abdullah of masterminding his nephew's exclusion from Perikatan Nasional's candidate's list.

DAP wants Muhyiddin probed over alleged 3R speech

10.45am: DAP wants police to investigate Perikatan Nasional chief Muhyiddin Yassin over a speech on Sunday that touched on the 3R (race, religion, royalty).

During that speech at a ceramah in Kapar, Muhyiddin claimed that the government's decision to drop an appeal on Jill Ireland's Allah case showed that the administration led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim agreed with the court that Christians can use the word, Allah.

The former premier also reportedly alleged that Anwar was pressured by DAP into dropping the appeal.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | Jill Ireland, Dr M-era bungles and 'Allah' for non-Muslims

Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rasyid is reported to have lodged a police report on the matter yesterday.

‘Are you Yang Bijak’ browser game expanded

10.20am: The Malaysia Information Literacy Education (Mile) releases a new character and storyline in a browser game called ‘Are you Yang Bijak?’ which is aimed at young voters.

This expansion from the first storyline, which allowed players to take on the role of a first-time voter, sees a new reporter character covering their first big election.

“We hope players will understand the challenges and pressures faced by reporters in such situations, on top of what drives carious media coverage of election news and its weaknesses.

“’Are you Yang Bijak?’ aims to help voters understand the role the media and bots can play, as well as recognise other forms of personal biases, propaganda, and divisive agenda.

“All of these are common features in politics, more so during election season. If left unchecked, these can colour a person’s opinions, even their votes,” says Mile co-founder Darshini Kandasamy in a statement today.

The game was first released before the 15th general election last November to help Malaysians navigate the spread of misleading and deliberately false information and divisive campaigning.

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PAS man shuns manifesto, wants clean sheet

9.30am: Former Kedah football team captain Baddrol Bakhtiar, who is Perikatan Nasional's candidate for Gurun, is not coming up with an election manifesto.

This, he says, is to prevent him from making empty promises.

"I didn't produce a manifesto. (If I made one,) people will say I'm giving hope but will not fulfil it.

"The incumbent promised a lot of things and didn't fulfil them... I don't want this happening to me," he says, according to Berita Harian.

Baddrol says that if he is elected, he will help develop sports in the state.

Gurun is a mixed-ethnicity seat which was once a BN stronghold until 2018.

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PAS sacks 8 for going against party orders

8.30am: Langkawi, Kedah - PAS has sacked eight party members in Langkawi, Kedah for going rogue.

This includes two PAS members contesting in Ayer Hangat and Kuah as independents, and their supporters and nominators.

The two independent candidates announced their decisions to leave PAS after submitting their nominations.

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan in a statement last night thanked those sacked for their past contributions to the party and said their separation did not mark the end of brotherhood between them and other party members.

Sanusi shows off takraw skills in stealth campaign

8am: Jeneri, Kedah - Caretaker Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s campaign in Jeneri has been relatively low-key thus far, with the media mostly not being invited to follow him.

One campaign stop on Monday saw the Jeneri incumbent engaging local youth in Kampung Kota Bukit in a show of sepak takraw balancing skills.

When met by Astro Awani, which managed to catch him at the campaign stop, Sanusi expresses his confidence in keeping his seat.

He cites how in the 15th general election, Perikatan Nasional had about 10,000 more votes than BN in Jeneri.

Data shows that PN received 67 percent of votes in Jeneri during GE15.

DAY 3 | Muda leader pledges to resign if he loses polls deposit

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

DAY 1 | Providing bus services an offence? Let MACC decide - Fahmi