The battle begins
By Deborah Loh and Danny Lim, The Nut Graph
KUALA TERENGGANU, 6 Jan 2009: Nomination day is currently underway in this parliamentary constituency. A close battle is shaping up between the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat, spearheaded here by PAS.
The first to arrive at the nomination centre in Stadium Negeri in Kuala Terengganu was BN candidate Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh, who was greeted by about 1,000 BN supporters who had gathered outside the centre from as early as 8.30am.
He was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Md Isa Sabu and Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Also in the entourage was Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
Ahmad Farid filed in his papers at 9am.
By 9.10am, PAS supporters shouting Allahuakbar! began to gather outside the centre as they waited for the arrival of the party's candidate, five-term Wakaf Mempelam assemblyperson Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut.
Heavy police presence and barricades keep the BN and PAS supporters 100m apart.
At 9.15am, Abdul Wahid walked in to file his nomination papers. He is accompanied by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, Parti Keadilan Rakyat's information chief Tian Chua, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, PAS Shah Alam Member of Parliament Khalid Samad and DAP Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong.
The number of PAS supporters surge and strain against the barrier, prompting the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) to reinforce their lines.
At 9.30am, Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim) vice-president Harun Abdul Rahman Mohd from Batu Buruk walked into the nomination centre, but caused a stir when he did not file in his papers.
Instead, in a hastily called press conference just outside the centre, Harun surprised everyone by asking voters to throw in their support behind PAS, because "our paths are headed in the same direction".
"Islam is my course, and I am giving way to PAS," he announced.
At 9.45am, Kuala Terengganu businessman Azharudin Mamat @ Adam, 45, walked in alone to the nomination centre to file in his papers.
The nomination period ended at 10am, and one hour is allotted for parties to raise any objections to the candidates who have filed in their papers. The Election Commission confirmed that only three candidates filed in their papers during the allotted period.
Meanwhile, there's a carnival-like atmosphere outside the nomination centre, with PAS and BN supporters shouting slogans, singing party songs and beating drums.
PAS supporters taunt the BN supporters, shouting “Hancur BN! Hidup Islam” and “Calon PAS bersih, jiwa bersih, hati suci!”. Onlookers throng the compound of Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, directly opposite the nomination centre.
