Published: Saturday October 3, 2009 MYT 8:29:00 AM
Updated: Saturday October 3, 2009 MYT 9:39:16 PM

Bagan Pinang by-election: Straight fight between BN and PAS

By SARBAN SINGH

PORT DICKSON: Barisan Nasional will face off with PAS for the Bagan Pinang by-election, the ninth since last year's general election.

Zulkefly meets Isa

At the close of nominations Saturday, Independent candidate, ex-PKR's Shahruddin Abdul Hamid, failed to submit his papers as he could not find a local proposer.

Returning officer Abdul Wahab Shamsuddin, who is the Port Dickson municipal council president, rejected Shahruddin's nomination papers after the 10am deadline.

Former Mentri Besar Tan Sri Isa Samad and PAS' Zulkefly Omar, 45, a businessman and state PAS commissioner, were declared the two candidates for the election.

Abdul Wahab also rejected an objection each from Barisan and PAS.

Earlier, supporters from both parties staged a noisy show of support for their candidates, complete with the usual banners and flags.

Rain did not stop their enthusiasm. Police were on hand control the crowd.

Barisan's Isa getting support from other leaders.

Polling is on Oct 11. The constituency has 13,664 voters, including 4,604 postal voters.

Here is an account of what occurred earlier:

11.20am: Election Commission rejects PAS' objection and the RO announces straight fight between Barisan's Isa and PAS' Zulkefly.

11am: RO announces end of objection period. Election Commission is studying PAS' objection.

The PAS side of the divide

10.55am: PAS files an objection minutes before objection period ends.

10am: Bagan Pinang by-election set to be a straight fight between Barisan and PAS as Shahruddin fails to find a proposer.

9.50am: With 10 minutes to go, the focus moves to independent candidate Shahruddin who is yet to come back with a proposer.

9.35am: DAP deputy chairman Tan Seng Giaw and Perak DAP chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham arrive to lend their support to the PAS candidate.

9.25am: Returning officer (RO) Abdul Wahab Shamsuddin, who is the Port Dickson municipal council president, rejects Shahruddin's nomination papers as his proposer is not a local. Shahruddin is given until 10am to find another proposer.

9.16am: Independent candidate Shahruddin clad in a white baju Melayu makes his way into the nomination centre almost unnoticed.

9.15am: State police chief SAC 1 Datuk Osman Salleh and police personell keep a close watch on supporters. Situation very much under control.

9.10am: Leaders from the Opposition make their way to the Barisan camp to exchange greetings with Muhyiddin and other Barisan leaders.

9.07am: Zulkefly enters the nomination centre.

9.06am: PAS candidate Zulkefly Omar and his supporters including PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, State Opposition leader Anthony Loke arrive and wait outside the centre.

Barisan supporters walking in the rain to get to the nomination centre.

9.05am: Isa Samad walks into the nomination centre with his proposer and seconder.

9am: Barisan supporters led by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Barisan candidate Isa Samad make their way to the nomination centre.

8.40am: Barisan and PAS supporters mingle freely as they are forced to take shelter from the rain.

8.30am: A downpour causes supporters from both sides to seek shelter at nearby buildings including the Sikh Gurdwara

8.20am: Police helicopter circles around the designated area to ensure there are no disruptions.

8.10am: Police close a stretch along Batu 1, Jalan Pantai to accommodate growing number of supporters arriving.

Traffic diverted to Seremban-Port Dickson highway.

8am: Slight drizzle failed to deter hundreds of Barisan Nasional and PAS supporters from gathering.

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