Nomination day @ Tenang- 22-1-2011

This was the sight that greeted me as I drove into Labis town...heading south from Segamat.( above )

the morning call for prayers from a loud-speaker froze these men immediately to stand in solemn prayer...

...while these 2 took an interest in me.... others were in "hopeful" prayer for their "cikgu Mala" the Pas candidate, as she is affectionately known to the locals.

across the street these men were deep in conversation either planning, plotting or just greeting and wishing each other...who knows ?

ahhh....the candidate herself. The lovely Cikgu Mala ( in 2-tone Pas green attire) posing with her campaign team. She looks lovelier up-close and in person....who cares if she does not want to "shake hands' with ugly lecherous old men.

hmmm.....BN or rather UMNO folks getting a "harass-free' passage through Opposition territory. I cannot say the same if it was vice versa...

.....introducing Tenang's "elephantman" in Palestinian garb.....

.....and another plucky "physically challenged" die-hard supporter...

....recognise the chubby fellow with his arms at the back in the middle-right and with his entourage waiting to join the march to the nomination centre about 1.5 km away......?

and here I assure will be a sight of the past before the week is up. Filthy and badly damaged main drain that runs along the MCA branch office. Sponsored by the rakyat's money but laundered as BN's goodwill gesture for "I'll upgrade/make your drains in Labis but you must vote for BN. Deal or no deal ?"...or so you'll hear from Najib and his goons in MCA Cawangan Tenang......wanna bet ?

allow me to also introduce the lovely but serious and "no nonsense" Inspector Sylvia Martin from the JB police contingent on duty.....

...the Opposition team begins the march towards the Nomination Centre and building in size along the way as other supporters and coalition party members join in......

....and in the far blue corner and on the other side of town.....the BN crowd. I read in the STAR that they had a 12,000 strong group. I had a clear view from this pedestrian bridge where I snapped this picture. 12,000 huh ?? hmmm......maybe they must have had a "cock-eyed" photographer who saw double....and they sure know how to share a good joke too....hehehe !

while on the opposite direction, Cikgu Mala's entourage with drums and banners for as far as your eyes could see.......still I wouldn't dare tell you folks that there were even 15,000 people......

the drummer boy direct from the Batu Caves and still in the Taipusam mood to pump-up the volume....

notice the heavy police attention only on the Opposition side ? And the barbed wires for good measure......preventive measures or police intimidation or double standards ?

....and this was the centre where the 2 candidates filed their nomination papers successfully. And so now begins the battle to win hearts and buy votes all in 7 days.

....MCLM was represented by this motley group in black "Bangsa Rakyat" tees.
( l-r : Claire,Lillian,Duke,Rodi, Angela,yours truly,Dave,Richard and Bernard) Small group yes.... but making a powerful statement.

Cheers.

*click on pic for larger view.