Photos by Anil
Video footage of Padang Serai MP Gobalakrishnan’s arrest
Between 5,000 and 10,000 Pakatan supporters rallied outside the nomination centre for the Permatang Pasir by-election. I was not able to gauge the size of the BN crowd as the two sets of supporters were kept apart. Quite a few of the supporters wore surgical masks because of their fear of H1N1.
This was the same nomination centre used for the Penanti by-election and this time the crowd appeared much larger than the few thousand that had turned up back then. Among the crowd were small contingents of DAP and PKR reps.
Nearer the nomination centre, Pakatan speakers addressed the crowd. The police presence was noticeably lighter. Penang CPO Ayub Yaakob had earlier spoken of a new approach in putting public order units only on stand-by following complaints that the police presence in previous by-elections had been overwhelming; just over a thousand personnel would reportedly be on duty this time. Apart from the usual plainclothes cops, I spotted the dark-blue uniformed units, mostly concentrated just outside the nomination centre, and their blue jeeps; no sign of any riot police.
But a disturbing incident marred the largely peaceful event. Padang Serai MP Gobalakrishnan was detained and handcuffed outside the nomination centre while he was leading the crowd with chants of “reformasi!” and looked as if he had injured his hand in the process. Ayub, for his part, was reported as saying police moved in after Gobala ignored two warnings to stop using allegedly provocative words.
As I strolled back with the dispersing crowd after the event under the blazing sun, a group of young Pas supporters around me, perhaps incensed by the way Gobala was arrested, shouted some unflattering remarks (which I shan’t repeat here) at the police lining the side of the road outside the nomination centre. But the cops just looked back passively.
A white Mitsubishi four-wheel drive belonging to the Election Commission cruised by, its occupants probably blissfully unaware that someone had cheekily draped a Pas flag on the spare tyre hanging at the rear of the vehicle. As the vehicle passed the dispersing crowd, Pas supporters chuckled at one another, “SPR sudah masuk Pas!“
Some of the Pas supporters had come from as far away as Terengganu and Pahang. I spotted one wearing a T-shirt from the Bukit Gantang by-election campaign in Perak.
As usual, the small traders lining both sides of the approach road to the nomination centre enjoyed brisk business.
0951: Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Tan Kok Ping has walked into the nomination centre premises along with Umno vice-president Zahid Hamidi. Kok Ping is now seated at the BN tent, engaging in conversation with Muhyiddin, as Koh Tsu Koon looks on. (Time to ask Tsu Koon some hard questions on Kg Buah Pala, eh?) (Kok Ping later moved to the Pakatan side.)
Earlier, a couple of stand fans were brought to the BN tent under which Muhyiddin and Hishamuddin are seated. It must be hot out there.
Samy Vellu has appeared and goes around greeting people.
Over on the Pakatan side, Anwar, Hadi and Guan Eng have turned up.
I wonder how many of them are thinking of Kg Buah Pala, which has dampened the occasion somewhat.
Koh Tsu Koon showing his face in Penang !?
That political eunuch has no self-respect.
After all the damage that he has done to our state and the (scamming under his watch), he should just stay put in Putrajaya.
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The Bar Council should look into BN candidate’s status as a lawyer. If it’s true that he has been barred from practise, BN should not choose him as candidate. If let say, he ‘has a skeleton in his cupboard’ why is he choosing to become a poltician? The people now are not going to accept this kind of politician. It’s a liability for BN. The Sun reported that the chosen BN candidate will be retained despite the controversy. A bad start for BN, indeed. PAS on the other hand has a very capable candidate. Educated, humble and well-liked by the people in PP. The combined support shown by Pakatan leaders this morning has brought back the shine on the Alliance – after a lacklustre performance in manek Urai. It looks like PAS will again win the seat. BN has become the early loser by not being very careful in choosing their candidate. Anyway, good luck to both candidates. MACC should go after those who give money or other goodies to people to vote. This is corruption.
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No need to worri, BN will win back Penang as all Penangites hate current gormen cos of Kg Pala issue.
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Umno youth chief KJ finds phantom voters at PP? This is something umno always deny before. Is the EC infiltrated by PR elements now? Or is KJ doing a pre-emptive strike. The “why is pr so quiet about the phantom voters…” and the “I told you so..” when bn lose the election.
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Where were the Kg Buah Pala settlers?
Have they no marbles to highlight their cause infront of these UMNO-BN giants…an opportunity went begging!
Going after the current Pakatan Penang State is certainly a lost cause and sympathy support from the general public…especially Penangites.
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I wonder who is Tan Sri Tan representing?
His heart or that of another Tan Sri Tan?
In case we forget, he was reported to be instrumental in getting Hang Chiang open for the sixty thousand crowd on Mar 6 last year. The big one that nailed the coffin on KTK government.
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ANil, I am sorry to say but you just won’t let Kg Buah Pala from your reader huh? what does Permatang Pasir nomination have anything to do with Kg Buah Pala? Why would anybody think about that?
Anyway, the court hearing is tomorrow. They will know their fate by then. Normally i respect and read your publishing as most of it speak without any biased. I am sorry to say, it is not the same when it comes to Kg Buah Pala. Well i guess you do realized that huh?
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So why are you hessitating to hound Koh Tsu Koon on Kampung Buah Pala!! At least record how he avoid/get angry…
I was outside the premises of the nomination centre and he was inside. Only those with passes are allowed in. – Anil
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This is the opportunity for the residents of Kampung Buah Pala to confront the backdoor listed minister of unperformance for an answer to the KPB crisis. It is time for these residents to come face to face with him everyday during the campaign period to get a reasonable and satifactory answer to the land scam. Don’t let him run away.
The crowd is outside the nomination centre premises and only those with passes like the politicians can enter the premises. – Anil
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Looks like the Chinese businessmen are all feeling the heat too.
… and all those fancy titles and now find themselves no different for others.
it is good to have 2 strong political parties checking on each other!!!
And it could be that the business community often hedges their bets, making sure they have close ties with whoever comes to power. – Anil
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Barisan Rakyat will take on Barisan Nasional with high number of handicap. Umno BN will (probably) use the facilities belong to the nation for their personal agenda, as if this country belong to their father. Rakyat will decide no matter what would be the handicap. Rakyat will win. Corrupt party must be destroyed….
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‘noworries’, are you sure that all Penangites hate current gomen because of Kampung Buah Pala? You must be very naive about politics.
Kampung Buah Pala is not even an issue, current goment is new, may not be the best I would agree, but, at the very least, they are better (willing to listen) than the previous one. If not because of the present gomen, Kampung Buah Pala was history last year itself. Make yourself clear about that.
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noworries said, “No need to worri, BN will win back Penang as all Penangites hate current gormen cos of Kg Pala issue”
I don’t know where you get your information from that all Penangites hate current govt. I quickly did a straw poll among all the guys sitting around me in the office. All of us from Penang, and they all said they respect & want to vote for PR even more now… So you statement is totally wrong!
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sorry Anil, typo in previous reply ; should read “…So youR statement is totally wrong!”
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Loh Yeow Boo got it right, Chinese businessmen who is critically link to BN cronies will feel the heat as they are not getting project(s) from the current PG gomen, that is why they have to play the game. Show face.
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Samy is there? Oh yah he will go around and tell the indian voters there cock and bull story saying MIC save the KG Buah Pala folks by buying the land for them using the Maika $ and his own pocket money… just to save the Indian in that Kampung and Koh … will be his living withness….
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Why is the MACC not (taking in) KTK for (interrogation) on the kpg buah Pala? Since he is out in Open. Since parties has lodge report to MACC.
Oooh..becoz MACC cannot arrest its boss friend? And..Koh TK is not Pakatan supporter?
So obvious.
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Yes, if it had been Gerakan running the state, it would have bulldozed the village by now without any compensation. The residents in this village (Buah Pala) should be grateful for what Lim was trying to do. Where is MIC and where is Hindraf? Where is Gerakan or PPP? These are spoilers and not bodies that could help the Indians. The Indians need a mental revolution not a life of violence. They need to be advised to wake up and play a positive role in nation development. See who are rich in the country, and the Indians should work hard to be rich. Be rich to help the poor among you. Don’t migrate or leave the country after you have made money in this country. This is your country. MIC and Hindraf should start a multi-billion dollar trust fund for the Indians to uplift their livelihood and mentality. MIC has done nothing for the poor. MAIKA is a flop. Hindraf has been shouting enough. All talks and screams. Shouts alone is not going to help the Indians. Going to the streets is not going to help the Indians. Walk the talk. Get fund to help the Indians. Violence does not pay. The Indians in Kelantan under PAS government don’t complain. They love to stay in Kelantan. What about the poor Indians in other states? Barisan and Pakatan could help but the Indians are not helping the Indians. The Chinese are helping the Chinese. Of course, the Malays are taken care of. I challenge MIC or Hindraf to start a FUND for the Indians. The Indians from all over the world will pour in money to help. BUT, DON’T END UP LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TO MAIKA. BE HONEST. IF YOU CANNOT BE HONEST GET A PAS MAN TO HANDLE THE FUND. NIK AZIZ PERHAPS. Why? The problem with some in the country is that the moment they see MONEY they will quickly try to get out of the country by seeking PR in a foreign land. This much is their patriotism for Malaysia. GOD BLESS THE INDIANS AND ALL MALAYSIANS.
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Kog Buah Pala residents had lost a golden opportunity to protest to Koh Ysu Koon.
Yes, Anil could not get near Koh.
In fact some one should have sounded to the villagers that Kohis coming.
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All the spin and pathetic attempts to shift the blame on the KBP land grab on to the shoulders of the present state government by the Koh Tsu Koon apologists on this blog merely serve to highlight their bitterness and frustrations at having fallen off the Penang Gerakan / Umno gravy train.
It’s time to face reality.
Koh Tsu Koon, the political eunuch, is history.
The Penang Umno boys are not the only one to treat him with contempt. The vast majority of Penangites share that sentiment as well.
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I concur with SamG – most Penangites are still very supportive of LGE and his crew. Lots of garbage left behind by BN/KTK to be cleaned up.
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There is no need to get close to KTK as he would have been shutted out from the people but if KBP residents were to hold a peaceful demo just like they are so good in doing it at Komtar or at KBP, they would have get veyr good press coverage and imagine holding placards asking KTK to be responsible for the KBP fiasco. However, I doubt KBP residents will do that cuz they have since been charmed by the 2 brothers and MIC to only protest against PR Govt and LGE.
Thats the facts of life. So KTK gets away scot free and also Semi Value too. What a wasted chance!!!
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I really hope BN wins bcoz PR needs a reality check. Once in power, they, in particular, the racist DAP, have let the power get to their heads. They forgot the promises they made, they very conveniently forgot the winning war call borrowed from a particular group which they used to the max to garner support from a small but important sector of the voting poulation, AND, the worse thing is that, their non-Penangite CM used his position to do a MOST UNKIND ‘fly swat’ on the KBP people. He succeeded very well in ‘bringing down to their knees’ these poor illiterate desperados whose only mistake was to believe the DAP/PR election promises, which have turned out to be empty promises. He succeeded very well indeed bcoz of the overwhelming support on print and electronic media from ‘his people’, a group known to drop all and every political allegiance and belief just to blindly support and rally in full force behind this man purely because he is one of their kind, and one of their kind has to be supported, no matter what. Even MCA-controlled THE STAR supports him! Negotiating for double-storey houses is no big deal, people! He was only trying to make amends for not being able to walk the talk and deliver on his pre-election promises! What can the people of KBP do? Whatever pleas they make to the media on the truth does not get much write up because they don’t possess that kind of power. Now, even the police are bent on denying them any outside support, as reported in the MSM! Wake up, y’all! Wake up to truth. Wake up to justice! Wake up to true humanitarianism. Be true to yourselves. I beg all you nasty commentators: if you are unable to see without bias, please stop causing more hurt with your unkind comments. After all is said and done, I have this to say: Time will tell, and God is watching. Some day soon, justice will be served. I promise you that.
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I saw Tan Sri Tan at the DAP dinner last nite. So, you go figure
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UMNO Baru spends million in anek Urai to (openly) buy votes … but they still lose. M’din must be dreaming just like Khairy when he said UMNO Baru can win Ptg Pasir. Please get real and wake up. If you are so confident of winning, I dont see any reason why all buy-elections are held on a weekdays!!!! If you are so confident of winning, why not dissolve the Perak State Assembly!!!! If you are so confident of winning, why not announce the date for the Sarawak State election!!!. If you are so confident that majority malaysians support BN, why call Anwar a traitor!!! . Dont fool yourself….BN is nearing its shelf life.
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