Anwar's GE15 campaign song reverberates in Gombak

The nomination of candidates for the Gombak parliamentary constituency stole the spotlight today as chants of the song "Hoi Hoi Ya Hoi" greeted candidates from the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) coalition by Perikatan Nasional (PN) supporters.

PH-BN candidates, along with several key leaders from the coalition, gathered about 500m from the entrance of the candidate nomination centre at SMK Sungai Pusu.

"Hoi hoi ya hoi... Siapa sokong penyamun? (Who supports the thief?)" PN supporters chanted as PH-BN candidates arrived at a field near the school.

The song was taken from P Ramlee's 1961 film Ali Baba Bujang Lapok, a parody of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. The re-composed version was sung by rap artist Altimet, whose real name is Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman.

Altimet was launched into the political scene during the 15th general election and is now a PH candidate for the Lembah Jaya seat in Selangor.

The procession was also accompanied by chants quoting PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim from his campaign speech last year: "Saya ulang... Esok kita memerintah (I repeat... Tomorrow we rule)," followed by laughter from PN supporters.

Meanwhile, women PN supporters gathered and prayed, and some of them were seen going live on social media platforms.

Earlier, PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin arrived at the nomination centre to accompany the seat assembly candidates who will be contesting.

The elections in six states kicked off today at 173 nomination centres, all of which opened at 9am.

Apart from the 245 seats contested in the six states, there will also be a by-election for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat, which was declared vacant following the Terengganu Election Court's decision on June 27 to annul the victory of PAS' Ahmad Amzad Hashim in the last general election.

The campaign period for both the state elections and by-election is set for 14 days, starting today after the official announcement of candidates by the returning officer and ending at 11.59pm on Aug 11.