[UPDATED] GE15: heavy downpour deters crowd as PN ceramah sees half-filled seats

AMPANG – Hundreds of empty seats greeted Perikatan Nasional (PN) top leaders at a mega ceramah here tonight, as continuous downpour deter supporters from making a beeline for the event. 

While the crowd slowly grew over the course of the programme, rows and rows of empty seats were still visible despite the leaders having begun taking the stage. 

Even as senior leaders delivered their addresses, about half of the available seats were still unfilled, with only the seats closer to the stage fully occupied. 

Some of the earlier speeches by the leaders were also drowned by the sound of the downpour. 

But for those who remained at the open, muddy field in Taman Keramat, the show of support was evident as they produced a fiesta-like atmosphere, cheering on the arrival of their leaders and while they spoke. 

The loudest cheers were reserved for PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Bersatu supreme council member Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, who are respectively defending their Pagoh and Gombak seats. 

Relying on umbrellas and raincoats, the crowd stayed to the end as the rain later receded. 

Among the other leaders present include Bersatu vice-president Datuk Radzi Jidin and PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man. 

In his speech, Muhyiddin paid particular tribute to supporters who were undeterred by the rain. 

“This is the rain of grace (hujan rahmat). I can see that all of you are unmoved, despite the storm, to ensure a PN victory in the election,” he said. 

He also turned away an umbrella that was offered to him, saying he wanted to stand together with the crowd. 

The event at ended around 11.10pm, with a brief display of fireworks. – The Vibes, November 14, 2022