DAY 3 | 'Not many Chinese voters for MCA, DAP to help with'

DAY 3 | It's the third day of campaigning for the Nenggiri by-election where BN candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani and Perikatan Nasional’s Mohd Rizwadi Ismail are battling it out for the state seat. 

Malaysiakini reports live from the ground.

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This concludes the first day of the Nenggiri by-election campaign.

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‘Not many Chinese voters for MCA, DAP to help with’

7.30pm - Bertam Lama, Gua Musang: Umno supreme council member Ahmad Maslan says he has no objections to MCA or DAP joining the campaign trail, but there is little need to do so.

"As far I recall, there are only 35 Chinese voters here. If we campaign, there are segments for Umno and PKR. For DAP in Chinese areas, there aren't many here.

"It is not that we don't allow, but in terms of necessity, the political logic is that it is of low priority," he adds.

Nevertheless, he emphasises that the parties are welcome to join the campaigning and the number of potential supporters is not a prerequisite for helping with the BN candidate.

EC issues 43 postal ballot papers

7pm: The Election Commission (EC) has issued 43 postal ballot papers to eligible voters, Bernama reports.

Its secretary Ikmalrudin Ishak says 41 ballot papers were issued for Category 1A (election workers and police personnel) and two for Category 1C (agencies and organisations).

“All police personnel involved in this by-election have been issued with postal ballot papers. Therefore, no early voting centre will be opened on Aug 13,” he says in a statement.

He reminds all postal voters to mark the ballot paper, accurately fill out the identity declaration form and immediately return it to the returning officer before 5pm on polling day.

“Voters are also reminded to maintain the confidentiality of their votes by not taking photos of the ballot papers and sharing them on social media,” he adds.

‘Azmawi well-regarded here’

2.20pm: BN candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani is no stranger to the Orang Asli community and villagers in the constituency.

According to Bernama, Kuala Lah Orang Asli village head Ali Lateh says Azmawi, better known as Awi, is well regarded in the area.

“The Orang Asli community here knows Awi very well, as he is a familiar presence. We like him a lot.

“For example, if an Orang Asli resident needed medical treatment in Kota Bharu, we would turn to him for help with transportation costs due to the long journey,” he adds.

Kampung Bertam Lama resident Ismail Nik Mustapah says that the candidate listens to the people’s grouses regardless of their political affiliation.

Nearest ATM: 45 mins by car, 30 mins boat ride

2pm: More than 30,000 people in Nenggiri have to travel at least 50km to reach the nearest ATM, which is located in Gua Musang town.

According to Sinar Harian, this takes about 45 minutes by car while some ride on boats for 30 minutes or spend an hour on a train.

The nearest petrol station is located some 30km away.

Kampung Bertam Baru resident Mohd Zulkiflie Harun, 58, says he has to spend about RM100 whenever he needs to use the ATM.

“We hope the candidate who wins the by-election will listen to the grouses of the people,” he adds.

Voters will judge BN wisely - Kedah Umno chief

12pm: Kedah Umno chairperson Mahdzir Khalid is confident voters are wise enough to evaluate BN’s performance in the federal government.

“They (voters) have been under the BN government. They also know how it is to be under the PAS state government.

“Nenggiri may be far from Kota Bharu, but the voters are wise,” he says as reported by Bernama.

He is met by reporters while accompanying BN candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani on his campaign trail in Gua Musang.

Mahdzir says most of the issues raised so far concern the daily life of the local community and BN would focus on solving them.

The Nenggiri constituency has 20,259 registered voters, made up of 20,245 ordinary voters and 14 police personnel.

BN candidate: I must focus on winning voters

10am: BN candidate for Nenggiri Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani welcomes support from Pakatan Harapan allies in the by-election campaign.

However, he acknowledges the challenge of dealing with the negative perception created by the opposition over both coalitions’ partnership.

“The issue of cooperation between Umno and DAP is a challenge for me, and I have to convince Nenggiri voters to accept me because the voters here want a representative who can fulfil their responsibilities.

“It’s not that I’m not bothered about the perception (Umno-DAP ties) but if I think about that, I will lose my focus as I only have 14 days to convince voters,” Azmawi said while campaigning at Bertam Lama, Gua Musang.

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