ALOR GAJAH: Chants of “Reformasi!” and “Melaka rumah kita!” echoed around the Japerun Machap Jaya Complex as Pakatan Harapan (PH) supporters accompanied the coalition’s candidate, Datuk Ginie Lim Siew Lin, to the nomination centre for the 16th Melaka state election.
The group of PH supporters, dressed in red and carrying party flags, arrived at the venue at about 8.25am alongside their candidate, who was wearing a grey baju kurung.
Also accompanying the PH candidate were PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, PKR vice-president Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, PKR Wanita chief Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek and PKR International Bureau director Dr Maszlee Malik.
Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem was accompanied by MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon.
Meanwhile, Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) candidate Prasanth Kumar Brakasam was also accompanied by supporters dressed in yellow and carrying yellow flags, reflecting the party’s signature colour.
Prasanth, who wore a yellow batik shirt, was accompanied by supporters chanting “Ayuh Bersama! Machap Jaya Prasanth!” as they marched towards the nomination centre.
About 9am, PH candidate Ginie Lim was the first to enter the nomination centre to submit her nomination papers, followed by Prasanth of Bersama and Ngwe of BN, who was wearing a white shirt.
A check around the Japerun Machap Jaya Complex found that policemen had been deployed to manage traffic and maintain order in the vicinity of the nomination centre.
Policemen and Election Commission (EC) officers were also stationed at the main entrance to control the movement of people entering the premises.
Media practitioners began gathering around the nomination centre as early as 7am to cover the nomination process.
The Machap Jaya state seat is expected to see a three-cornered contest in the 16th Melaka state election, with the incumbent facing two challengers from PH and Bersama.
Ngwe will face former Machap Jaya assemblyman Datuk Ginie Lim Siew Lin (PH) and former special officer to the Chief Minister Prasanth Kumar Brakasam (Bersama).