DESPITE being the first day of the work week in Kelantan, thousands showed up at two morning events featuring Dr Mahathir Mohamad as Pakatan Harapan begins its final push to capture the PAS-controlled state.

The strong turnout challenges PAS and Barisan Nasional’s claim that Dr Mahathir would be a liability for the state, citing his past behaviour of punishing Kelantan for consistently voting for PAS when he was prime minister.

The audience included regular folk such as businessman Hydrali Koya, who took time off to catch Pakatan Harapan’s prime minister-designate in Kok Lanas, Ketereh, today.

He was joined by about 2,000 other people, who crowded into three tents at an open field in Taman Anggerik as they sought shelter from Kelantan’s scorching heat.

“I came to see him speak and to show my support for Pakatan because, as a businessman, I have seen firsthand how the GST (goods and services tax) has choked the people,” said the 69-year-old from Ketereh.

PH believes it can capture Ketereh as it was won by Barisan Nasional in the last general election by a mere 974 votes.

Later about noon, Dr Mahathir gave a rousing speech in a small backlot behind ID restaurant in Kampung Cherang, Kota Baru, where a large crowd of workers in pressed long-sleeved shirts and baju kurung from nearby offices had gathered.

The restaurant’s owner told Malaysia Decides that she had trouble managing the sudden flood of food orders as the organizer of the gathering had not provided any refreshments.  

“People came during their lunch breaks. They stayed to listen to him and went back to their offices,” said Kota Baru resident Arif Yaakob.

Kelantan PH officials said the morning time slots were the only ones they could get from Dr Mahathir’s office, given the 92-year-old’s packed national schedule.

“If we had held them at night, the turnout would have been tremendous,” said a Kota Baru PH official.  

“But I consider our programmes successful anyway as it’s difficult to get a crowd on a Sunday.”

In his speeches, Dr Mahathir urged residents to give PH a chance and shut out BN.

He also reiterated that a vote for PAS would essentially keep BN in power.

“They are only contesting to take away votes from PH so that we cannot form a government. So, it’s like they are supporting Umno.” – May 6, 2018.