One candidate turned up in full force with 300 over members followed by a four-lion dance troupe while the other turned up with 100 people who trailed along with Rocket flags.

kepong election nomination 240208 lau hoi keong The ‘battle’ for the Kepong parliamentary seat has begun between election rookie Barisan Nasional’s Lau Hoi Keong ( left ) and incumbent DAP’s Dr Tan Seng Giaw.

Lau had appeared on the end of the small Jinjang road where the nomination centre was located and was mobbed by party supporters clamouring to shake his hand before the thundering drums of the lion dance began playing.

He was greeted by the Election Commission who gave him a hearty applause before he entered the hall. He submitted his papers at 9.10am.

kepong election nomination 240208 tan seng giaw Meanwhile, Tan ( right, centre ) had arrived with his wife in his Toyota truck and had trouble finding parking near his service centre due to the bustling morning market nearby.

Keeping it simple

Their arrival on the other end of the road was a lot less rowdy as Tan remarked, "It’s like strolling down my neighbourhood," he said with a smile.

Asked by journalists why he was wearing slippers, the six-term Kepong parliamentarian who is a trained a doctor said he wanted to keep it simple.

Escorted by his proposer and seconder - both elderly Kepong residents - he submitted his papers by 9.30am.

kepong election nomination 240208 mohd sahak surip Reporters waited around for the independent candidate - former Federal Territories MCA Youth deputy chairperson Yee Poh Ping - to turn up.

However, returning officer Mohd Sahak Surip ( photo, left ) announced that the nomination hour is up with Yee’s failure to turn up, Kepong is set for straight fight between Tan and Lau.

The protest period passed by without a hitch as it turned into mini press conferences for both candidates.

kepong election nomination 240208 family Both of them left after shaking hands - Yau to his drums and cheers; and Tan to applause and pats on his back.

It is unclear how the battle will end - will it be the rookie who is counting on his youth and energy to win the heart of voters or the skin specialist who has successfully defended his Kepong seat for 26 years?

March 8 will be the date when 60,000 voters in Kepong will decide.