Festive air around nomination centre for Tambun seat

(from left) Abdul Rahim Tahir from Gerakan Tanah Air, PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Pakatan Harapan’s prime minister candidate, Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu (Perikatan Nasional), who is the incumbent and Tambun Umno division chief Datuk Aminuddin Md Hanafiah (Barisan Nasional).

IPOH: There was a carnival-like atmosphere at the Tambun parliamentary nomination centre near here.

Supporters of Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional were all geared up holding banners and flags.

Some Pakatan supporters even set up tents selling T-shirts and caps bearing the coalition logo.

Some had set up stalls selling food and drinks.

The moment PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Pakatan Harapan’s prime minister candidate, arrived, together with the other two state seat candidates, a group of people started playing the dhol.

There was even a lion dance troupe that performed there, with a group performing kompang, as well as a Bhangra dance group.

About 50m away, was the gathering point of the Perikatan Nasional team where they were heard performing “selawat” (praises to Prophet Muhammad).

Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu (Perikatan), who is the incumbent MP, when arrived told the police on duty, he preferred to walk into the nomination centre, and he did not require the buggy provided.

As he walked past Pakatan supporters, they jeered at him.

The incumbent Tambun MP merely waved at the Pakatan supporters.

“It’s typical of them (PH), it's quite fun. I am alright,” he said.

Anwar, who was alighting from the buggy to get into the nomination centre, told reporters he would try to meet with as many residents as possible during the two-week campaign.

“I have not done a full tour of the constituency yet, but the state seat candidates, both Datuk Asmuni Awi (Manjoi) and Muhamad Arafat Varisai Mahamad (Hulu Kinta), are meeting the people.

“We will meet as many people as possible in the next two weeks,” he said, adding that they will achieve victory.

The Barisan Nasional supporters chanted their “Hidup BN” slogan as they walked with the three candidates led by Tambun Umno division chief Datuk Aminuddin Md Hanafiah.

The last to arrive at the centre was Abdul Rahim Tahir from Gerakan Tanah Air) who arrived after 9am.