THEY formed arguably the most potent combination in Umno and Malaysia for a long time.

And for the next few days, Dr Mahathir and Daim Zainuddin will reprise their old roles and travel to key constituencies in Malacca, Johor, Pahang, Penang and Perak in a last-ditch attempt to snare more of the key Malay vote.

Both will also push the Pakatan Harapan case in places where the party machinery is weak and their stumping will help boost support.

This morning, the duo made their debut in Pekan, caretaker prime minister Najib Razak’s constituency and stumped for the PH candidate Zahid Mat Arip.

Before the event even ended, pictures of Dr Mahathir, his wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and Daim went viral on WhatsApp with many applauding their effort.

Daim is still a member of Umno and has said he could not be bothered with what the party would do to him for campaigning for the opposition.

On Friday, Daim will be in Jerai and Merbok, Kedah, during the day and join Dr Mahathir in Malacca with PH big guns in the evening for a mega-ceramah.

Sabah Warisan president Shafie Apdal is also expected to join the mega-ceramah.

On Saturday, Daim will swing through Johor with major campaign stops in Muar, where the Bersatu candidate is Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman.

Later in the evening, Daim will join PH Johor leaders Salahhuddin Ayub (Amanah), Liew Chin Tong (DAP) and Shahruddin Md Salleh (Bersatu) in Ayer Ayer Hitam, an MCA stronghold.

State leaders there hope Daim’s presence will be the final push to tilt fence-sitters towards PH.

Daim, Dr Mahathir and the PH machinery are also planning stops in the Penang Malay heartland with a campaign stop for PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar in Permatang Pauh. – May 3, 2018.