Merlimau nomination Feb 26

The nearby food court flocked with sudden rise in customers.  

BN supporters gathered to show support for BN candidate.

PAS party leaders while waiting for the candidates to be announced.

PAS supporters chanting and singing during the nomination process.

By Zarina Zakariah

zarinaz@nst.com.my

Pix by Zarina & Ling Poh Lean

5.30 am. That was how early we started for the Merlimau nomination this morning.

Eyes barely open, the four of us sluggishly headed to the car and headed towards Merlimau. Once there, we were stuck thinking what to do now that we were at there. Since the objective was to get past the road block location,  once we did, err... there was nothing to do but wait. It was 6.15am then.

So what's the best thing to do when you are tired, it's dark and cold and have nothing to do? SLEEP of course! LOL... So slept we did, (except yours truly, for fear I would not be able to wake up), until 7 something. I had the chance of watching the sun rise...which was a very rare occasion for me since I was never a morning person.

While my colleagues were deep in their slumber, I walked to the nearest restaurant to get a drink. It was a full house. The restaurant owner, not knowing how to handle the sudden spike of  customers, was busy walking back and forth scratching his head! My, what by-election can do to a small town like Merlimau...:-)

Anyway, we headed to the nomination centre at the Politeknik Melaka where traffic was already starting to get busy and head to the food court to have our breakfast. There on we could hear a chopper circling the Merlimau by SPR. Balloons, posters everywhere... The by-election is in the second gear.

Supporters gathered before the nomination centre at their respective spots before marching towards the nomination centre with their party candidate. Such were the spirit of supporters, no untoward incidents occurred. The usual chantings from both parties could be heard but due to the 100 metres separation, it did not spark any fights or exchange of words. 

But Malacca is one hot state. Hot as in searingly hot! It was a wonder how the supporters remained rooted to their gathering spots in the direct heat of the sun. 

At  9am, the registration period started and ended at 10am with 2 nomination papers from BN and PAS each. Candidates Roslan Ahmad and Yuhaizad Abdullah both submitted their nomination papers and were declared contesting candidates in a straight fight after an hour of objection period. 

So on March 6, let us see who wins the N.27 Merlimau seat. And from tonight onwards, let the fun begins...:-)

Prices, prices, prices...

By Zarina Zakariah
zarinaz@nst.com.my
Pix by Zarina Zakariah

One of the many facts known but not exactly admitted by local entrepreneurs, are usually the hike of goods, accommodation and food prices in and around the by-election area. Some even take the opportunity to set up new businesses ie a small lodge, or a smal restaurant/coffee shop, knowing that the upcoming by-election would bring heaps of profit and customers irregardless whether the service is not up to par or even close.

This time however, it is a rare occasion we find ourselves in where not many local business operators are staying put with their prices, by-election or not. Accommodation prices are as the usual prices, the food and beverages can still be bought at normal prices and the goods, well it's the same.

I have yet to explore to many more shops in the Merlimau town, but as of the present, Malacca has made true to its promise to keep prices as per normal, by-election or not.

But it is still a long way to go. Tomorrow will be the nomination day of N.27 Merlimau and we have yet to see the by-election party in full swing. Let's hope that, at least, the price stays..:-)