BN’s last big ceramah

The BN uses a stadium that could fill 20,000 for its last big ceramah last night, complete with a stage for an open-air concert. But just about 3,000 turn up during the time we were there between 9.00pm and 10.00pm

Among the speakers urging the crowd to support the BN is Hishamuddin Hussein.

I finally solve the mystery of the Information Department trailer. You see the vehicle partly hidden by the the bus? See the stripes? This appears to be the same trailer that we spotted parked in town a couple of days ago.

I stroll up the field closer to the vehicle and discover that paper has been stuck on the side of the vehicle to cover up the name of the department to which the trailer belongs. Similarly, other lorries and pick-ups have paper stuck on the sides to cover up the names of organisations.

This was the trailer we spotted in town a couple of days ago.

Why do they plaster paper on the sides of the vehicles used for events like this – unless they are trying to cover up something: the abuse of government property for election campaigning?

A friend later tells me that Najib attended the same function later. He appeared stressed or uncertain as if the outcome was still not a foregone conclusion, says my friend.

We adjourn to a coffee shop filled with Malays; most of them appear to be Pas supporters. From inside the coffee shop, they watch a large screen across the road, put up by a Pas election operations stall, on which Pas leaders are shown giving speeches. We share some sumptuous satay – and then wonder how far we need to walk to burn the calories.

On the way back, we run into a group of Pas supporters, who have wound up their campaigning. They are talking of a majority of 3,000 to 5,000. One of them claims that the Malay vote is 70:30 in their favour. But he is worried that dirty tricks and money dished out could influence the outcome.

Indeed, the ‘chatter’ and rumours of money being splurged over the last two days have been rising.

On the way back to the hotel, we see four police trucks heading in the opposite direction. Where are they going, I wonder. Police continue to make their presence felt. Thousands of them have descended on Kuala Terengganu and traffic police continue to stand by intersections even after midnight.

One analyst tells me the talk is that Pas will probably win by a small majority, even though its campaign has been lacklustre and not as impressive as the last general election. “It has been largely devoid of issues. Instead, all the talk has been centred on the suitability of the candidate.”

It’s 3.00am now and I can hear a police chopper flying outside. What will the day ahead bring? Will there be any dirty tricks?