PENANG Much has been said about the shift of the Malay heartland and their return of support for the BN due to the community's alleged dissatisfaction with the Pakatan Rakyat government.

But if the Malay ground in Penang has indeed shifted, it does not show, not to the naked eye, at least.

As campaigning enters its eighth day, the crowd size for BN or Umno events remain small, and they are mostly attended by party members.

Likewise, the response of the public at large is lukewarm towards BN candidates in Gerakan and MCA, where several were allegedly snubbed during their walkabouts, according to eyewitnesses.

NONE In sharp comparison, events organised by Pakatan, mostly the DAP, are overwhelmingly attended by the Chinese community since the dissolution of Parliament on April 3.

Although it is rather obvious that in some areas, the DAP has to make an extra effort to lure the Malays out of their homes to attend their events.

Warm and friendly

Yesterday, one would think that a large audience may turn up to welcome the warm and friendly former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

However, the crowds that awaited him in Seberang Jaya and earlier at Kubang Semang, were nothing to shout about.

NONE Generally, in sharp contrast, PKR defacto leader Anwar Ibrahim ( right ) usually draws a comfortably large crowd, who would brave the sun or rain to enjoy his witty remarks and oratory skills at his ceramah.

Still, Umno leaders are harping on his lack of presence in Permatang Pauh since nomination day on April 20, hoping to show his constituents that he has neglected their support for him.

Permatang Pauh Umno chief Abdul Jalil Abdul Malik said voters should not cast their votes for "touch and go" candidates.

Without naming anyone, Abdul Jalil added that such candidates were like drivers who drive through toll booths, swipe their cards and speed off.

"They are the ones who give ceramah and leave the constituency without knowing how difficult people's lives are," he told a crowd about 100 at Seberang Jaya yesterday.

"If you let such candidates win, they would later turn into smart tags, where they do not even need to stop (at toll booths) and will become very confident because you gave them the votes," he added.

"Vote for candidates who are locals and those who understand the hardship of the people here," he stressed.

It is uncertain the inroads that BN can make into Pakatan strongholds by repeating the same tune to an already converted crowd.

Umno hopes for victory in Permatang Pauh and a bigger majority win in Seberang Jaya but is this possible when the party appears to have failed to resolve infighting in it - which has contributed to its lacklustre campaign?

NONE For example, Seberang Jaya incumbent Arif Shah Omar Shah has hardly been seen and is believed to be still licking his wounds over his failure to make it to the candidacy list.

This may have prompted Abdullah ( right ) to admit that it may not be easy to win the coming polls on May 5, despite the coalition putting much effort into it as he called for a muafakat (agreement) between all parties.

"If there is the lack of cooperation (among the BN component parties), it will bring trouble. So we need to put in much effort and hard work to win back the seat," he said.

"We will do our best to ensure that 'Anwar akan berkubur di kubu sendiri' (Anwar will be ‘buried' in his own stronghold)," he told a press conference in Kubang Semang yesterday.

The ‘burying' is done not through a contest of ideas or policies of the two candidates, although billboards urge people to vote for Mazlan Ismail, the "cleanest candidate".

The BN's Permatang Pauh candidate, instead of promoting his vision for the constituency, rather relies on individuals who have axes to grind with Anwar to cast aspersion on his morals and ability as an MP or prime minister.

This raises the question of whether Mazlan is confident enough to unseat Anwar using his own credentials and strengths instead of badmouthing his opponent, who since 1982, has obtained a big mandate from the voters in Permatang Pauh.

Anwar bashing

It would be interesting to see if all this Anwar-bashing would have any effect on the voters when he comes a-visiting on Monday.

He is scheduled to speak in Ampang Jajar, Balik Pulau and Nibong Tebal.

NONE But this is not to say that there are no positive outcomes of BN events in Penang so far.

Last Tuesday, the coalition held its first and so far only large ceramah of 1,000 odd people at Wisma Umno, Kepala Batas.

On Friday, the crowd in Rifle Range comprising mostly senior citizens gave a round of applause to state BN chief Teng Chang Yeow ( left ) when he presented his speech.

Teng, BN's Bukit Tengah candidate, pleaded for voters there to throw their support behind the party's Kebun Bunga candidate H'ng Chee Wey.

"He is young and energetic, please give him a chance in this election," said Teng, as the audience replied with an "aye".