Gone are the flag-drenched landscapes of the past: Scoop's visual team focused their lens on Gombak, Klang, and Shah Alam to find parties taking a low-key approach to displaying their flags, banners, and posters. – Scoop pic, August 5, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR – The flag wars in the six state elections in Malaysia are appearing more subtle than in previous elections, with political parties displaying fewer flags.
Scoop’s visual team focused their lens on areas such as Gombak, Klang, and Shah Alam as a confusing “blue wave” can be seen decorated on the road pavements as both Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional are “advertising” in blue.
However, overall, there seems to be a lukewarm effort from both sides to put up physical flags, banners, and posters to attract voters.
These state elections come after the federal political crisis from 2020 to 2022 and the completion of the full five-year term in Selangor, Penang, Kedah, and Negri Sembilan.
There will be a total of 245 state seats contested, with polling day on August 12 and early voting on August 8. – August 5, 2023
In a surprising visual shift, the current six state elections witness a departure from the flag-heavy displays of the past. – Scoop pic, August 5, 2023A confusing ‘blue wave’ is particularly evident in areas like Gombak, Klang, and Shah Alam as both Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional are advertising in blue. – Scoop pic, August 5, 2023Political parties are adopting a more subtle approach, focusing on fewer physical flags in the current state elections. – Scoop pic, August 5, 2023Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional flags and banners stand side by side. – Scoop pic, August 5, 2023Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional enter the state elections as an alliance for the first time in Malaysian history, despite being long-time bitter rivals. – Scoop pic, August 5, 2023The streets of Gombak have been transformed into a ‘blue wave’ puzzle, with Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional deploying flags and posters to entice voters. – Scoop pic, August 5, 2023An elderly woman clutching a Perikatan Nasional flag walks amidst an array of Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional flags in the streets of Gombak. – Scoop pic, August 5, 2023
After eight years of operating on the top floor of Menara MPAJ in Ampang Jaya, local punk music venue Rumah Api will be relocating later this year due to increased rental and related arrears that accumulated during the Covid-19 pandemic.
