BN, Pakatan supporters throng nomination centres (Updated 10:30)
0910: Blog reader Kenny says:
Batang Ai will be an epic battle even more important than the two Bukits. PR is up against the money, might and machinery of BN. Taib has held this state in his grip for so long; a win by PR in this David vs. Goliath battle means a seachange in Sarawak politics. It will sound the death knell for the Taib regime.
0910: Bukit Selambau – PKR and BN supporters have been kept apart on the route to the centre. Dense vegetation separates the two sets of supporters on the roads to the centre, which lies in a park. The PKR candidate is already at the centre. Nine independent candidates have shown up. Waiting for the BN candidate to show up.
0908: Bukit Gantang – Thousands here. Prayers for goodwill. All PR parties represented.
o855: Batang Ai – Waiting for the candidates to arrive. An independent candidate might be joining the fray. A helicopter hovers overhead. BN supporters number around 500, while the Pakatan supporters are easily five times more and their number keeps increasing. Both sides engage in a war of words. But everything is orderly and the atmosphere, festive.
0822: Bukit Gantang – Festive mood in Taiping, reports my other contact. Buses with PKR supporters heading in. BN needs a miracle to win here.
0809: Batang Ai – Our arrival at the Lubuk Antu sports complex is greeted by a long line of FRU and police personnel. PKR and BN banners are already in the padang. A contingent of DAP supporters has marched in. PKR supporters are supporting “Reformasi n tiga kosong!” One single Pas flag seen among a sea of PKR and DAP flags.
0737: Batang Ai – My contact reports he is leaving the longhouse now for the nomination centre. In the area are about 500 people from out nearby towns, Sabah and the peninsula. Some of them had come to Bawin’s longhouse after the ceramah for a late night dinner. Imagine slaughtering chicken at 11.00pm! About 200 slept over. A few drank ijok and langkau until 4.00am. Will talk about Iban hospitality later. Huge jam ahead.
Check for more updates at: http://anilnetto.com/malaysian-elections/nomination-day-updates/
