Penamaan Calon: That was the week that was

Yesterday, the nomination day went rather well. None of PAS candidate was disqualified, while we managed to 'sack' one BN candidate for DUN Kijang, Kelantan.

Being new to the whole thing, I was rather nervous. Went to bed rather late that night, and missed Kuliah Minhajul Abidin at the Masjid Jamek the following morning. Did not wake up quite in time for it.

The night before, the PAS supporters gathered at Masjid Lama Telok Kemang.

Abandoned after the opening of the new mosque, this Majis Lama (Old Mosque) was kept alive by few old folks, most of them PAS members/ supporters. Pressure has been great on them by the locals so that they shut the mosque, but the resisted bravely, and until today still do so. They were accused of creating division in the muslim community, by keeping the masjid alive. To alleviate the pressure, they tried going to the new mosque, and even volunteered to clean the toilets. Yet, they were still chased away by the people in the new mosque. I have great respect towards these people. With pension Rm500 a month, they still managed to donate at least RM5 to PAS, bearing in mind that Rm500 is simply not enough for one to get through a month.

(Sadly, some of us think that by donating Rm100, Rm200 or even more, they have done their part. It is NOT, and will never be the same. You pay something, but you never have pressure one your back.)

As a result, they form their own gathering, and perform the fard prayers in the old mosque. From time to time, shaykh Faiz, the mufti's brother, will come and do his majlis zikr there. Apart from that, the place will hardly see more than 20 jamaah at one time. I heard the story from a friend, that timbalan mufti once had a dream. He saw the Prophet s.a.w performing prayer in Masjid Lama Telok Kemang, and Masjid Lama Port Dickson. Because of that, jabatan mufti is also in a strong support against closing the mosque.

The night before the nomination day, we organised solat hajat and tahlil. While sitting alone there, there were moments when I did muhasabah, and I end up making do'a " Ya Allah, janganlah kau hukum perjuangan ini kerana dosaku". Tears were flowing.

That night, we worked hard gathering all the data, and discussed with a PAS lawyer. After much discussion and faxing going here and there, I went home and off to bed close to 2 am, preparing for the big day.

Sunday 24th Feb.

I finally joined the crowd close to 8am. We were preparing for the parade, with Unit amal standing by for instruction. Close to 9am, a group of BN bikers and motorists passed by sounding the horn, as a provocation. After they have taken their place, the police allowed us to start our parade. I had two unit amal 'bodyguards' walking on my sides. Close to the nomination centre, supportes were told to wait, while the relevant people entered the 50m radius.

I went to the nomination room. It was an auditorium, which looked spanking new. The BN candidates were all on-stage, handing over their nomination forms. Quarter an hour later, all our candidates (PAS-PKR-DAP) took their places and began registering. Another half an hour passed, and one Calon Bebas registered to contest for the parliamentary seat, and another for a state's.

10am, the nominees' names were put on the notice board, and people rushed over to see and make any necessary objections. I took out all the documents that I had been preparing all night. Few friends tried to check the status of the Pencadang and Penyokong via internet, but of all time, the Celcom 3G facility chose this moment to fail.

I prayed dhuha, and at 1040am, I went to the SPR desk and submitted my objection. The BN candidate had been declared bankrupt in 1989, and the information told me that he had one case pending in Seremban Court. The candidate ( En Azman Mohammad Noor) was called in, and ordered to explain the situation. The Election manager checked with the insolvency department, and the candidate was given a clear status. En Azman explained that he had paid his remainin debt to CIMB Bank berhad, although rumour has it that he did it just the few nights before.

We knew this fact from the beginning. In fact, PAS Pusat did help us check his background, and gave the same remark. However, they told us just to put the objection forward, as a warning to them that our election machinery is actually working. WE KNOW YOU!!!

With the objection not going through, I went out of the building to get some fresh air. After much instruction and deliberation, the candidates finally left the room, and went to the trailer-made-stage outside the City Council building. Outside, the crowd cheered for the BA candidates, and jeered the BN and bebas candidates. I guess, our supporters were more vocal and full hearted.

With all nominations being passed, the announcement was made.

P132: BN v PKR v Bebas
N29-N32: BN v BA
N33: BN v PKR v Bebas

Get ready for the next round..

Lawan tetap Lawan