THE ELECTION DIARY

RM47,000!

That was the total collected from a Pakatan Harapan ceramah last night held in SS2 – the Petaling Jaya suburb at the heart of the gigantic Damansara federal seat, which DAP’s Tony Pua is defending in the 14th general election.

Attendees filled up rows of plastic chairs by 9pm to listen to seven speakers on the first day of the election campaign.

At other similar ceramah, PH is collecting more donations to finance its nationwide campaign as it seeks to remove the ruling Barisan Nasional government.

Hundreds – and in some places, thousands – turn up for the nightly ceramah.

BN candidates, however, rely on morning and afternoon walkabouts to campaign for support. Ceramah held every night is not their signature style.

Beyond that, the BN candidates in their blue uniforms and crowds of hangers-on depend on national leaders and invited speakers to talk about national issues. Billboards and the mainstream media, too, contribute to the national narrative for these candidates.

BN candidates focus only on service and local matters. And they promise more – particularly cash aid, in addition to other forms of help – in return for votes.

The contrast cannot be more glaring. PH depends on its nightly ceramah and Facebook live-stream videos, and seeks donations – and with that, possibly votes, too – while BN uses money, the media and its machinery to hold on to power.

There will be another 10 days of this before polling day arrives – and for those who donate money or accept cash to decide the country’s future. – April 29, 2018.