IPOH – Malaysias three key coalitions made their final campaigning push on the eve of one of the tightest general elections in the countrys history.
The main contenders ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) and opposition alliances Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) had put their election machineries through their final paces this week.
Without a designated Cooling-off Day, PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim spent most of Friday in Tambun, Perak, where he is contesting a four-cornered fight, after moving away from the Port Dickson ward in Negeri Sembilan.
The opposition groups prime minister candidate told The Straits Times that he was happy to be back in Tambun after his whirlwind national tour, even as his entourage navigated traffic and the rain on the specially declared public holiday.
I am optimistic for tomorrow, he said, when asked about PHs chances to form the federal government.
A number of opinion polls have projected that his coalition has the lead over PN and BN, with no one group expected to claim a parliamentary majority on its own.
Earlier on Friday, Datuk Seri Anwar showed his prowess with a racket on the badminton courts during a morning walkabout to meet young athletes at X Park Sunway City in Tambun.
The former finance minister, who has pledged to fix Malaysias economy, showed little sign of fatigue after two gruelling weeks on the trail.
He campaigned late into the night, with a final address at Meow Garden in Tambun.
The open space next to the restaurant had a carnival atmosphere as music concerts and food trucks entertained attendees.
Mr Anwar made his appearance just before 10pm to address the nearly 7,000-strong crowd that turned up despite the Perak rain.
The previous night, rival coalition PN had managed a simultaneous finale themed PN Best of its own across six locations in Malaysia, that was live-streamed on the party leaders official Facebook pages.
These included Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president Muhyiddin Yassin in Johors Pagoh, and Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysias president Dominic Lau in Batu Kawan, Penang. Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president Muhyiddin Yassin (left) in Johors Pagoh and Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysias president Dominic Lau in Batu Kawan, Penang. PHOTOS: MUHYIDDIN YASSIN/FACEBOOK, DR DOMINIC LAU HOE CHAI/FACEBOOK
Speaking from Kemaman in the east coast state of Terengganu, PAS president Hadi Awang repeated his partys stance of rejecting cooperation with anti-Malay chauvinists, in reference to PHs Democratic Action Party, and the corrupt, referring to BN. PAS president Hadi Awang repeated his partys stance of rejecting cooperation with anti-Malay chauvinists. PHOTO: ABDUL HADI AWANG/FACEBOOK BN leaders, who have had their infighting and disunity scrutinised on a national scale, were relatively more subdued as they made their final walkabouts on Friday.
Umno president Zahid Hamidi, a major force behind the push for snap polls, met minority Chinese voters in his Bagan Datuk constituency where he has been MP since 1995. Umno president Zahid Hamidi met minority Chinese voters in his Bagan Datuk constituency where he has been MP since 1995. PHOTO: ZAHID HAMIDI/FACEBOOK
Caretaker Health Minister and first-time Sungai Buloh candidate Khairy Jamaluddin found the time to have a midday chendol to cool down as he said that as candidates, they were feeling the heat. Malaysias caretaker Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (centre) found the time to have a midday chendol to cool down as he said that as candidates, they were feeling the heat. PHOTO: KHAIRY JAMALUDDIN/FACEBOOK
Caretaker Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob also made his final appeal to the electorate of Pahangs Bera, his stronghold ward, appealing for voters to accept Saturdays outcome, no matter the result. Malaysias caretaker Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob meeting residents in Pahangs Bera, his stronghold ward, on Nov 16. ST PHOTO: HAZLIN HASSAN On Friday, Mr Anwar also hit back at Tan Sri Muhyiddin over his controversial claim on Thursday that it would be very dangerous for PH to return to power, as the coalition was working with a Jewish group to Christianise Malaysia.
PH leader Anwar dismissed the imputation, saying it revealed how desperate it was for his opponent to indicate the possibility of Jewish and Christian infiltration.
Mr Muhyiddin later said his statements were completely taken out of context and circulated by PNs political opponents to create a false narrative.
He claimed his speech as a whole was intended to promote fairness to all races and religions.
Polling centres will be open in Sabah and Sarawak from 7.30am to 5.30pm, and from 8am to 6pm in Peninsular Malaysia on Saturday. More On This Topic Seven things to know about Malaysia GE2022 Interactive: Will Malaysia GE2022 return a strong majority government?
