DAY 13 | BN machinery called to campaign till the end

DAY 13 | Countdown to polling day begins as it’s the second last day for candidates to campaign for the Nenggiri by-election.

It’s a straight fight between BN candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani and Perikatan Nasional’s Mohd Rizwadi Ismail for the state seat.

Malaysiakini reports live from the ground.

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This concludes the 11th day of campaigning in the Nenggiri by-election.

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Nenggiri finally gets an ATM

6.45pm: Kampung Jerek - The Nenggiri community finally has an ATM. Located in a minimarket in Kampung Jerek, Gua Musang, the machine is expected to some some 30,000 locals.

This is after BN candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri promised to work towards getting an ATM for residents, who have to travel to Gua Musang town just to withdraw money.

“I am grateful that the first ATM has been successfully installed in this area. We greatly welcome this facility,” says villager Mohd Zulkiflie Harun.

“Previously, we had to travel as far as 50km to withdraw money but now we no longer have to,” he said when met.

BN machinery called to campaign till the end

5.25pm: With less than 48 hours remaining, the BN machinery is reminded to continue working until the campaign period for the Nenggiri by-election ends at 11.59pm tomorrow.

Umno supreme council member Ahmad Maslan says every voter there must be helped, including on polling day this Saturday, especially if they needed help to get to the polling stations.

“Even though the campaign cannot continue after 11.59pm (Friday night), we can campaign in other ways, such as transporting voters who do not have vehicles on polling day. This is done by all parties and is permitted,” he says.

He is speaking to reporters after reviewing road repairs at Section 5.8, which has reached 75 percent, near Kampung Limau Kasturi in Gua Musang, today.

Commenting further, Ahmad, who is also the deputy works minister, expresses gratitude there have not been any unwanted incidents between the two contesting parties.

“Alhamdulillah, everything (the campaign) has proceeded peacefully, which shows the maturity of democracy in this country. Otherwise, there would have been unwanted incidents.

“In my experience participating in by-election campaigns since the 1990s, the Nenggiri by-election is among the most harmonious,” he says.

‘Orang Asli warming up to PAS-PN in Gua Musang’

3.25pm: The Orang Asli community in Gua Musang, particularly in Pos Simpor where there are 550 residents, is starting to warm up to the Perikatan Nasional campaign machinery, says Harakahdaily.

According to the PAS newspaper, the situation is completely different from the last state election - where the PN candidate only secured 10 votes, - with the Orang Asli being friendlier this time to PAS and PN workers who set up base there for the campaign.

“Throughout our stay here, the reception from the locals has been very encouraging. They don’t miss joining the programmes we organise.

“The youth join in sepak takraw matches at the PAS quarters while the women participate in cookouts. The winners get presents,” Kuala Balah state constituency secretary Abdul Rahim Muhammad tells the PAS mouthpiece.

He claims that while it was a rare occurrence to see PAS’ ‘moon’ flag in Pos Simpor previously, now the local youths are putting them up in the area.

Local cook a hit at campaign spot

12pm: Campaigning for the Nenggiri by-election has made Rospinah Abdullah a very busy woman as the 58-year-old cook from Sungai Asap B in Gua Musang has been churning out one dish after another, keeping the election campaign workers there well-fed since nomination day.

“Thanks to the by-election, I’ve been spending day and night in the kitchen.

“Thankfully, I have my siblings and children to help me, otherwise I would be overwhelmed,” the mother of eight tells Sinar Harian.

Her experience as a cook for more than 20 years made her a crowd favourite among the election machinery workers with dishes such as nasi gulai kawah (a popular beef curry dish), nasi lemak, Malay kuih, and meehoon.

She admits to feeling tired but would not say no to rezeki (fortune) that comes her way.

PN well received in Nenggiri - Bersatu president

8.25am: Perikatan Nasional stands a chance to win in the Nenggiri by-election, but should not be “overconfident”, says its chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Bersatu president says the remaining campaigning period is crucial to enable voters to make their choice on Aug 17.

“I’m confident (that PN) can win but in the by-election (campaigning) we should not be ‘overconfident’ with three days remaining, critical to determine where the voters stand.

“I plead for out-of-state voters to come back to vote on Aug 17. Although support (for PN) is good so far, if the percentage of out-of-state voters returning (to vote) is low, it could pose a problem (for PN),” Muhyiddin tells the media when met at Kampung Limau Kasturi Gua Musang, last night.

Muhyiddin says Nenggiri voters’ reception of PN has been good, including from the Orang Asli.

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