DAY 11 | Hundreds gather for Harapan, PN ceramah in Sekinchan

DAY 11 | It’s Day 11 of campaigning for the six state elections, and also advance polling day for some voters.

Malaysiakini reports live from the ground.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• Voters with Covid-19 must mask-up

• Angry voter confronts Harapan candidate 

• T’ganu BN candidate reported for ‘bribery’

• Cops to quiz PAS MP over ‘trapping’ Sanusi remark

• KJ stumps for PN candidate

• PN candidate busts a move

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

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Hundreds gather at Harapan, PN ceramah in Sekinchan 

9pm: Sekinchan, Selangor - About 200 people have gathered for both the Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional ceramah in Sekinchan.

These two events are located within a three-minute drive from each other.

PN president Muyhiddin Yassin, former Selangor Umno chief Noh Omar, and Sungai Besar Muslimin Yahaya MP are here to endorse Bersatu’s candidate for Sekinchan, Goh Gaik Meng.

In his speech, Goh claims that DAP has announced that his opponent, Ng Suee Lim, will be made a state exco and the party will nominate a speaker candidate if Harapan wins.

Goh says it shows that DAP is in control of the Selangor state government instead of other parties.

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Covid-19 positive voters must mask up on polling day: DG

6:40pm: Health director-general Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan reminds people with Covid-19 to observe several precautions on polling day to limit its spread.

In a statement, he says masking is mandatory for those who are positive for Covid-19, and "highly encouraged" for other voters.

"Covid-19 positive voters are not allowed to board public transportation including e-hailing vehicles, linger anywhere before or after voting, and must return home immediately after voting," he adds.

He also urges people to clean their hands with sanitisers and ideally bring their own.

Those who have yet to take their Covid-19 booster shots are also encouraged to register to receive the vaccine.

MTUC urges govt to declare Aug 12 special holiday

6.30pm: The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) calls on the government to declare polling day on Aug 12 a special holiday to assist workers who must travel to cast their ballots.

MTUC secretary-general Kamarul Baharin Mansor cites complaints from workers that some employers have allegedly issued circulars to only provide each worker with two hours to go and vote, before resuming work.

"This instruction raises concerns among workers and can affect voter turnout," he says in a statement.

As such, MTUC urges employers to respect a worker's democratic right to vote, as well as for the government to intervene by declaring a special holiday.

Harapan’s Bayan Lepas candidate disarms angry local

4.30pm: Bayan Lepas, Penang - A man confronts incumbent Bayan Lepas assemblyperson Azrul Mahathir Aziz as he campaigns at a coffee shop.

The irate individual, who claims to be a Bayan Lepas voter, says his previous complaints about squatters in the vicinity were unheeded by the state government.

"I am not satisfied with you. I won't be voting for you," the elderly man says.

This prompts Azrul's entourage to question if the man is truly a local voter and demand he furnishes his identity card, which he refuses.

The Pakatan Harapan candidate calmly urges the man to lodge a report with the proper authorities, after which the man briefly steps outside the coffee shop. He returns later without further altercations.

Report lodged against BN T’ganu candidate over ‘bribery’

4.30pm: Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu - A police report has been filed against a BN candidate in the Terengganu state election, who is accused of bribing voters with engine oil.

The report was filed with the Kuala Terengganu district police headquarters this morning.

Mohd Hilmi Jusoh, 33, tells Sinar Harian that he and several other voters felt compelled to lodge the report because the candidate had allegedly violated the election rules.

“Based on the evidence found on social media, the incident happened on Aug 4 when campaigning at the Ladang Gemilang apartment.

“It happened during the ‘Tukar Minyak Hitam’ (change engine oil) programme… The candidate was there and there are photographs to show that he himself poured the engine oil into one of the motorcycles,” he adds.

‘Malay support for Harapan-BN in N Sembilan increasing’

4pm: Based on a study, the support of Malay voters in Negeri Sembilan for Pakatan Harapan and BN has increased by more than 50 percent, says state Harapan chairperson Aminuddin Harun.

He says the support has consistently increased, particularly in the last two days compared to April, as a result of the effectiveness of the approach carried out by candidates and Harapan-BN machinery during state election campaigns.

“There is a significant increase in Malay support, probably due to the information and explanations given. I am confident that the Malays will be with Harapan, BN and the unity government in Negeri Sembilan,” Bernama quotes him as telling reporters after visiting the early voting centre at the Sikamat Police Station today.

Harapan and BN will also focus on gaining support from Chinese and Indian voters, who make up a sizable portion of electors in the state, he adds.

Police to question PAS MP over Sanusi 'trap' remark

3.20pm: Police will call Alor Setar MP Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden over the latter's claims that caretaker Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor missed events over the weekend to avoid being "trapped".

China Press quotes Kedah police chief Fisol Salleh as saying that Sanusi could be called in as well to give his statement, should the need arise.

On Sunday, Sanusi failed to appear at a ceramah in Sungai Petani, which Afnan claimed was upon advice to avoid being "trapped" by the former's political opponents.

Sanusi later clarified that he could not attend the event because he had a few meetings in Kuala Lumpur, and had to rest after.

Cops probing T'ganu candidate for enticing married woman

3.03pm: Cops are investigating a candidate contesting in Terengganu under Section 498 of the Penal Code, which pertains to enticing a married woman.

According to state police chief Mazli Mazlan, the probe was initiated after a complaint was lodged on Aug 4.

"We have interviewed the suspect and hope to wrap up investigations soon," Sinar Harian quotes him telling a press conference today.

Mazli does not specify which party or coalition the suspect is from.

The candidate can be jailed for up to two years, fined, or both.

KJ shows support for PN's Jeram candidate

1.30pm: Khairy Jamaluddin shows his support for Perikatan Nasional’s Jeram candidate Harrison Hassan on the latter's campaign trail.

The former minister openly complimented the former Umno member in a meet and greet session in Puncak Alam yesterday, where he admitted knowing Harrison for more than 20 years.

"I am confident Harrison will be a good assemblyperson for Jeram," the former Umno youth chief can be seen saying on the video that’s making its rounds online.

Harrison will face off against BN candidate Jahaya Ibrahim.

PN previously invited Khairy to join the coalition, but he has yet to reply to the offer.

Amirudin: Harapan/BN is nearing 'two-thirds' majority

12.15pm: Sepang - With the Selangor state polls race on its final legs, caretaker menteri besar Amirudin Shari claims the Pakatan Harapan/BN combo has far surpassed a simple majority to form the next state administration.

In fact, Harapan/BN are closing in on a two-thirds majority, far ahead of Perikatan Nasional in the race, the incumbent Sungai Tua assemblyperson alleged, citing checks with various agencies and a study of Selangor voter patterns.

“I have done my maths, and so far, we (Harapan/BN) are leading. They (PN) can claim whatever they want," Utusan Malaysia quotes Amirudin as saying during a ceramah in Sepang, last night.

According to him, BN had done an excellent job developing Selangor, and Harapan had continued the job after taking over.

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Police: 518 election-related reports in S’gor, none on 3R

11.35am: Petaling Jaya - There have been no reports lodged on hate speech involving the 3R (race, religion and royalty) in Selangor, says Deputy Inspector-General of Police Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.

According to The Star, he reveals that 518 police reports have been lodged in the state in connection with the polls so far and 20 investigation papers have been opened.

"So far, there is no report on hate speech involving race, religion and royalty (3R) in Selangor (during the elections).

"We hope it will continue until the end of the state elections," he adds.

Sanusi refutes Anwar’s Infineon investment claim

11.40pm: Alor Setar - Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has refuted Anwar Ibrahim’s statement that Infineon Technologies AG’s €5 billion (RM24.9 billion) additional investment is due to the prime minister's coalition government stability.

The caretaker Kedah menteri besar is quoted by Sinar Harian as saying that the German technology giant's additional investment is nothing new as he was informed last July.

He revealed that Infineon had applied for additional land behind the existing factory for new investment, and the application was approved.

“All of a sudden Anwar said he approved Infineon’s investment. I have known for a long time because they (Infineon) told me last year. The additional investment was decided long ago.

“I didn’t ‘claim’ that I brought Infineon because they have been here for 17 years and they want to expand their business because Kedah is the best site. Why is Anwar ‘making such an effort’ (pulun) to gain credit for?”

Lau apologises over 'dine and dash'

11am: Penang - Gerakan president Dominic Lau apologises to the owner of King Kong Curry Noodles after his team forgot to pay during their last visit.

Sin Chew Daily reports that Lau met the stall owner in Taman Sahabat today to apologise.

In a video clip uploaded by the daily, the stall owner, known only as Madam Lai, greeted the election candidate by stating: "I didn't post (the complaint) online."

Lau explained to Lai that the problem stemmed from the fact that his campaign workers kept showing up and there was confusion as to who was footing the bill.

It is unsure when the incident took place. However, a summary of the incident was posted online over the weekend.

Lau later clarified that his team had settled the bill once the matter was made public.

Federal govt is built on Zahid's lies - Hamzah

10.25am: The federal government today is built on lies told by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Hamzah Zainudin has claimed.

Speaking at a ceramah in Sungai Pelek, Selangor, last night, the Perikatan Nasional secretary-general alleged that after the 15th general election, Zahid sent a letter to Istana Negara claiming that BN supported Anwar Ibrahim as the prime minister.

"The fact is that the BN supreme council then took a neutral stance to not support any candidate to form the government. Therefore, the government we have today is based on the lie told by Zahid," he said.

Hamzah then urged voters to show their dissatisfaction against Anwar's administration by making PN win the state elections on Aug 12.

This Saturday, PN will field Bersatu's Suhaimi Ghazali in Sungai Pelek, against Harapan's Lwi Kian Keong and independent Nageswaran Ravi.

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PN’s Balakong candidate busts a move to win votes

10am: Perikatan Nasional's Balakong candidate Steven Lai Choon Wen is a man of many talents - if his social media posts are anything to go by.

Fresh after lifting weights while shouting the coalition's name, Lai is now trying to dance into the hearts of the electorate.

"I'm a candidate who can serve and dance well. Hope you can give me a chance to serve Balakong. Vote for me," Lai posted as a caption to a 17-second video of him dancing with two others to American rapper Flo Rida's 2007 hit "Low", featuring fellow singer T-Pain.

Lai, an associate member of Bersatu, last week posted a TikTok video of him performing bicep curls with two dumbbells alongside several men while shouting "Perikatan Nasional".

Lai will be taking on Pakatan Harapan’s Wayne Ong Chun Wei. Harapan is a huge favourite to win the seat.

Caretaker Penang govt lists contributions to Islamic affairs

9.30am: Bayan Lepas, Penang - Perikatan Nasional, especially PAS, always emphasises its commitment to fighting for Islam and Muslims.

Not willing to be left behind, the Pakatan Harapan caretaker Penang government has put up a signboard to show its contribution to strengthening Islamic affairs in the state.

The signboard, located in Bayan Lepas, says "strengthening Islamic affairs, RM873 million on mosques, suraus, Islamic schools, Syariah courts”.

Bayan Lepas is one of the hot seats in the Penang state election, which will see a straight fight between Gerakan president Dominic Lau and PKR’s Azrul Mahathir Aziz.

Early voting centres open at 8am

9.20am: A total of 260 early voting centres involving 377 channels for the Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan state elections have been simultaneously opened from 8am today.

Also opened are three early voting centres at the Terengganu contingent police headquarters for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election, Bernama reports.

According to the Election Commission website, the electoral roll used for the six state elections and the Kuala Terengganu by-election is the latest register of voters updated as of June 21, 2023.

All early voting centres are scheduled to be closed in stages according to their locations.

Mat Sabu hits campaign trail in Kelantan

8am: Kota Lama, Kelantan - Amanah president Mohamad Sabu wastes no time in hitting the campaign trail in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, last night after returning from the US.

The agriculture and food security minister says he has flown to Kelantan right after he arrives in Kuala Lumpur yesterday evening.

"As soon as I returned from the US, I took a plane to Kota Bharu. I haven't gone back to see my wife and children.

"I attended a meeting with Asia Pacific agriculture ministers and a special meeting with the US secretary of agriculture.

"In the meeting, we discussed how to market agricultural products," he says at a ceramah in Kota Lama.

DAY 10 | PN sec-gen calls state polls ‘people’s referendum’

DAY 9 | Yeoh: Behind S'gor PN poster boy, are failed leaders like Rina

DAY 8 | Annuar Musa claims Zahid becoming ‘DAP son’

DAY 7 | Anwar met by thousands at final 2 ceramah in Kedah