To venture into the two by-elections is actually a “buy-eat-lection” for us, as what Dave put it precisely about the gluttonous revellers wanting to support the by-elections for Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang. We ate all along the way!
We met up with our buddy Noh who came with KH Yoh and Dave Low with his wife. Then, we adjourned for dinner in the rain.
We literally gulped our dinner down, and we wanted to head to Trong where Tok Guru would be speaking. However, we could not find the way and settled for Simpang.
The wet weather did not deter our spirits, and we went around the town which lies in the rain shadow area.
By the time we arrived, the crowd about one thousand swelled to about two thousand five hundred curious supporters when we reached the ceramah site just behind the mini expo.
As usual, the trend was akin to Parmatang Pauh and Kuala Terengganu. The enthusiastic crowd is the yardstick to tell a story about what is to come. But it was still too early to tell because there were 48 hours left hanging in the air before the final surge.
Then, we headed to Bukit Merah for the night.This is what Paul Wong has to say. Despite the heavy downpour, being the norm in Taiping, it did not deter the crowd from converging to the mud-trodden field where it was an exciting night of speeches by the likes of Azmin Ali who virtually pounded Barisan Nasional and our newly elected PM. The gods were kind enough to stop the rain as the speeches got under way.
We stopped at Bukit Merah for a quick bite before heading for the resort. The crowd was birds of a feather and we acknowledged each other presence.
I had a friendly conversation with this Pak Cik who proudly showed me his cute six months old grandson. He attended the ceremah too, starting at a young age.
When our stomachs stopped grumbling, we rested and looking forward for a good night sleep, but instead we talked until five in the morning before calling it a day.
PY Wong reported fom Batang Ai saying that 14 ballot boxes to be transferred to Lubok Antu sports hall for counting. SPR does not allowed Mafrel nor PKR agent to accompany the boxes after the casting of votes end.
We stopped at Bukit Merah for a quick bite before heading for the resort. The crowd was birds of a feather and we acknowledged each other presence.
I had a friendly conversation with this Pak Cik who proudly showed me his cute six months old grandson. He attended the ceremah too, starting at a young age.When our stomachs stopped grumbling, we rested and looking forward for a good night sleep, but instead we talked until five in the morning before calling it a day.
PY Wong reported fom Batang Ai saying that 14 ballot boxes to be transferred to Lubok Antu sports hall for counting. SPR does not allowed Mafrel nor PKR agent to accompany the boxes after the casting of votes end.
Azmin Ali had announced this at Simpang too.
April 05
The following afternoon, we headed for Penang. And before that, we paid our courtesy call at Bukit Tambun for our seafood lunch.
By noon, we left for the hospital to visit Angela Ooi who was recuperating after an operation. As usual, her bubbly personality took away the anxiety from everyone.
Our plan to head to Bukit Selembau in the evening was hampered by the heavy downpour. We settled for Penang foods instead. The thunderstorm lashed its wrath and the consensus was to leave the following day.
That night, we visited Gurney Drive in the drizzles and savoured what were there waiting for us. We took a slow drive to Batu Ferrenghi and “sapu” as many DVDs as we could selling at RM4.00 each, yet one free with each ten DVDs bought.
We landed in Hakka Connexion specializing in Hakka foods. The lunch was palatable and with the Frenchman around, nothing was left unfinished!
The connecting door led us to a mini museum displaying the historical information about the late Tan Sri Datuk Wong Pow Nee – the first Chief Minister of Penang.
April 05
The following afternoon, we headed for Penang. And before that, we paid our courtesy call at Bukit Tambun for our seafood lunch.By noon, we left for the hospital to visit Angela Ooi who was recuperating after an operation. As usual, her bubbly personality took away the anxiety from everyone.
Our plan to head to Bukit Selembau in the evening was hampered by the heavy downpour. We settled for Penang foods instead. The thunderstorm lashed its wrath and the consensus was to leave the following day.
That night, we visited Gurney Drive in the drizzles and savoured what were there waiting for us. We took a slow drive to Batu Ferrenghi and “sapu” as many DVDs as we could selling at RM4.00 each, yet one free with each ten DVDs bought.
April 06
We landed in Hakka Connexion specializing in Hakka foods. The lunch was palatable and with the Frenchman around, nothing was left unfinished!
The connecting door led us to a mini museum displaying the historical information about the late Tan Sri Datuk Wong Pow Nee – the first Chief Minister of Penang.Note: I will be writing a separate article about this mini museum soon.
We took the ferry for the mainland in the afternoon. It was a nostalgic ride to many of us and we enjoyed every minute of it.
Since we had the time, we headed for Lembah Bujang at Gunung Jerai as suggested by Eric. It was an educational visit because we got to know the 1500 years old heritage and civilization.
Note: I will be writing about this wonders of Malaysia’s earliest civilization which is practically unknown to many of us in the coming posting.
At dusk, we reached the PKR operation centre situated in the most romantic name that I know of, Jalan Cinta Sayang. We met some KLites and we were told that the night before, there was a confrontational exchange of words with the MIC supporters.
The strangest thing was that, in a row of shop houses, Barisan operation centres occupied three units a stone’s throw from one another. The third one was just two doors away from Pakatan’s. Imagine if all were to have ceramah together!
The Light Force made their presence felt by setting up a police pondok facing the two operation centres. It looked intimidating indeed!
Our intention was to catch up with DSAI who was going to the Bandar Baru ceramah. We set off with the help of landmarks given by a local.
He took a rest and was ushered to the canopy as the crowd gathered on the soggy ground.
Despite a crowd at the pasar malam opposite to the field, those present at the field were miserable. I wondered what could have become if the ceramah was cancelled at last minute.
I strayed into the field to enjoy some karaoke Hindi songs sung by local artistes. Soon, a commotion was felt when DSAI arrived.
Like a magical spell, DSAI held the crowd with his messages why the people should vote for Pakatan. The crowd was easily at three thousands or more.
DSAI left for his next stop at Sungei Lallang and we headed back to Jalan Cinta Sayang hoping to catch some actions there.
We were right on time seeing the FRU alighting from their trucks. The crowd refused to disperse and traffic was almost at a standstill. Hardly ten minutes, the siren wailed when a platoon of FRU came for reinforcement.
The nearby restaurant was filled to the brim and the FRU surrounded the vicinity. The police told the waiter to close the shutters but the people refused to move. The people threatened that if the shutters were down, they would leave without paying their bills.
Nothing could be done except to wait for another thirty minutes before the time of ceramah was up.
On the road, the drizzles stopped and people converged along the road again while the helicopter hovered above.
Suddenly, a group of youths was seen running away and stopped a short distance away like a cat and mouse game with the police. Judging from the event, for sure the police would not leave empty handed. Sure enough three were arrested at that point of time.
From the feel we had from the ground, it was crystal clear that both the bukits would sail through comfortably.
We decided not to stay for another night because the battle was just as good as won. On the way back, we passed through Simpang to catch a glimpse of the votes casting centres.
The Barisan side was lack-lustre while PAS stole the limelight.
We took the ferry for the mainland in the afternoon. It was a nostalgic ride to many of us and we enjoyed every minute of it.
Since we had the time, we headed for Lembah Bujang at Gunung Jerai as suggested by Eric. It was an educational visit because we got to know the 1500 years old heritage and civilization.
Note: I will be writing about this wonders of Malaysia’s earliest civilization which is practically unknown to many of us in the coming posting.At dusk, we reached the PKR operation centre situated in the most romantic name that I know of, Jalan Cinta Sayang. We met some KLites and we were told that the night before, there was a confrontational exchange of words with the MIC supporters.
The strangest thing was that, in a row of shop houses, Barisan operation centres occupied three units a stone’s throw from one another. The third one was just two doors away from Pakatan’s. Imagine if all were to have ceramah together!The Light Force made their presence felt by setting up a police pondok facing the two operation centres. It looked intimidating indeed!
Our intention was to catch up with DSAI who was going to the Bandar Baru ceramah. We set off with the help of landmarks given by a local.
He took a rest and was ushered to the canopy as the crowd gathered on the soggy ground.Despite a crowd at the pasar malam opposite to the field, those present at the field were miserable. I wondered what could have become if the ceramah was cancelled at last minute.
I strayed into the field to enjoy some karaoke Hindi songs sung by local artistes. Soon, a commotion was felt when DSAI arrived.
Like a magical spell, DSAI held the crowd with his messages why the people should vote for Pakatan. The crowd was easily at three thousands or more.
DSAI left for his next stop at Sungei Lallang and we headed back to Jalan Cinta Sayang hoping to catch some actions there.
We were right on time seeing the FRU alighting from their trucks. The crowd refused to disperse and traffic was almost at a standstill. Hardly ten minutes, the siren wailed when a platoon of FRU came for reinforcement.The nearby restaurant was filled to the brim and the FRU surrounded the vicinity. The police told the waiter to close the shutters but the people refused to move. The people threatened that if the shutters were down, they would leave without paying their bills.
Nothing could be done except to wait for another thirty minutes before the time of ceramah was up.On the road, the drizzles stopped and people converged along the road again while the helicopter hovered above.
Suddenly, a group of youths was seen running away and stopped a short distance away like a cat and mouse game with the police. Judging from the event, for sure the police would not leave empty handed. Sure enough three were arrested at that point of time.
The people on the ground were annoyed by such incident and their anger were clearly seen on their faces be it Malays, Indians or Chinese. “We are going to vote for Pakatan tomorrow!” was their clarion message.
By twelve, the curious crowd dispersed leaving those who still wanted to hang around the operation centres.
By twelve, the curious crowd dispersed leaving those who still wanted to hang around the operation centres.
April 07.
From the feel we had from the ground, it was crystal clear that both the bukits would sail through comfortably.We decided not to stay for another night because the battle was just as good as won. On the way back, we passed through Simpang to catch a glimpse of the votes casting centres.
The Barisan side was lack-lustre while PAS stole the limelight.
