Many supporters of the main contenders -- Barisan Nasional's Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah and Pakatan Rakyat's Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim -- were in a rambunctious mood as they threw a slew of verbal abuse at each other.
The deafening shouts of both PR and BN supporters, which often descended into vulgarity, is certainly an indication of what is to come. The fact that there were more PR supporters than BN supporters further emboldened some of them to shout louder.
It shows that this is no ordinary by-election.
The carnival atmosphere at the Tuanku Bainun Teacher Training College in Mengkuang belied the tenseness felt by both sides. Despite the smiles, and the brave words uttered, it was clear that both the main contenders were a little anxious.
Only Hanafi Hamat, the Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim) candidate, seemed unaffected. There were only about three or four men with him. Hanafi, who was booed by the crowd when his name was announced by the returning officer, is expected to lose his deposit.
By exercising patience and allowing a little leeway to the overzealous supporters, the police managed to keep the large crowd -- one estimate puts it at 30,000 -- under control.
From the verbal exchanges between supporters, it was clear what the focus of campaigners would be in the bid to give their candidate victory. The words "Mongolia" and "Altantuya" featured prominently on the PR side while "liwat" was the favourite word of BN supporters.
Both Arif Shah and Anwar have repeatedly said they will not make personal attacks. But it looks certain that they will not be able to control some of their decidedly overeager campaigners.
Arif Shah's campaigners are selling his excellent track record as the Seberang Jaya assemblyman. They say it is time Permatang Pauh had an MP who would be able to provide good service and bring development.
BN leaders have admitted that it would be an uphill battle against Anwar. One reason is Anwar's personality. Another reason, privately admitted, is the infighting within the Umno Permatang Pauh division. Some BN leaders, including Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, have said that, worse comes to worst, even reducing Anwar's majority would be considered a success.
And Anwar knows this. That is why, although he is the favourite, Anwar is not taking any chances. Even before nomination day, he has been giving ceramah. He has started visiting markets, including the pasar malam, and meeting various groups of people in his constituency.
Which is also why Anwar had earlier been hoping for a straight fight with the BN. The entry of the Akim candidate is likely to draw away some votes from him -- particularly those of conservative Muslims -- in light of the sodomy allegations against him.
PR hopes that the presence of Pas spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and chairman Karpal Singh at the nomination centre yesterday would show that PR is united. BN is expected to exploit the chinks in the armour of PR, particularly with "bullets" supplied by some of the delegates to the Pas muktamar in Ipoh.
Anwar is fighting to ensure he wins by a huge majority. Anything less than the 13,398 majority won by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, would reflect badly on the man who wants to be prime minister. It would also embolden Pas to push for its leader to be prime minister, in the unlikely event that PR forms the government around Sept 16 as stated by Anwar.
Anwar claims polling day has been fixed for Aug 26, a Tuesday, to deny him a better majority. He has asked Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to persuade factories to allow time off for their staff to vote.
Anwar campaigners are telling the 58,459 voters in the constituency that this is not just a battle for Permatang Pauh. It is, they stress, a battle to save the nation. They are urging voters to send him to Parliament so that he can form the next government.
"From Permatang Pauh to Putrajaya" is the catchphrase of the moment.
But if there is anyone who can throw a spanner in the works, it is Arif Shah, the only BN candidate to win one of the three state seats in the Permatang Pauh constituency. BN is banking on his record and rapport with voters in the Seberang Jaya state constituency to, at the very least, deny Anwar a large majority, and therefore give BN a symbolic boost.
It is no wonder then, with such high stakes, that the supporters of both candidates have become rather rambunctious. This by-election promises to be the most bitterly fought in recent history.
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