Sensing trouble in Putrajaya, BN brings in Mahathir as reinforcement

Harakahdaily,

Apr 27: Former UMNO strongman Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been roped in by UMNO to campaign in its stronghold Putrajaya for its secretary general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor who is being challenged by PAS vice president Husam Musa.
■ The crowd at the PAS ceramah near the Putrajaya court complex last night, April 26


The decision to bring the former prime minister into direct campaigning comes amid strong indicators of an 'upset' for BN despite Adnan's earlier boast that Husam would be defeated by two-third majority.

Yesterday, large crowds rarely seen in this city of civil servants welcomed PAS Murshidul Am Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat during the latter's stopover. The crowds' size and enthusiasm - during the Friday prayer and later in the evening near the administrative buildings, had shocked BN leaders, according to insiders.

Pictures of Nik Aziz and the mammoth crowds greeting him went viral on internet.

An UMNO source told Harakahdaily that BN's 'war room' had now marked Putrajaya seat as grey, as opposed to white which means 'safe seat' in election parlance.

Mahathir will be giving a speech at Presint 9, Putrajaya tonight.

But not far from him, popular Islamic preacher Azhar Idrus will also hold his talk in Presint 19.

“It’s a sad story now that UMNO top guns need to come to defend what used to be their stronghold. This was the place they did not have to campaign! This indicator from Mahathir is very telling on BN’s lifeline," the source said.