KUALA BESUT, July 12 — It is a straight fight in the Kuala Besut by-election between Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Tengku Zaihan Che Ku Abdul Rahman and Azlan Yusof of PAS after their nomination papers were accepted this morning.

When nominations closed at 10am, only the two had submitted their forms.

The town of Kampung Raja here was divided into blue and green halves as thousands of party supporters descended on the sleepy constituent, undeterred by the morning drizzle.

Clad in blue in keeping with BN’s colour and slogan “Kuala Besut selamanya biru (Kuala Besut stays blue)”, the BN supporters marched to the nomination centre, led by Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Kuala Besut by-election director was flanked by Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and his predecessor and rival, Besut MP Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.

The marchers also chanted praises to Islam’s Prophet Muhammad in between singing “Perajurit Tanah Air (Homeland Warriors)”, better known as by the first line of the song lyrics, “Inilah barisan kita (This is our front.”

Other BN leaders spotted included Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein, secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, communication chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan, and Gerakan acting president Datuk Chang Ko Youn.

No national MCA or MIC leaders were spotted in BN’s supporting crowd today.

Meanwhile on the other side, PAS supporters stayed boisterous despite the fasting month, holding banners saying “JUMAAT”, which is an acronym for “Jom undi memenangkan Azlan anak tempatan” (let us vote for local boy Azlan’s victory), and “RABU”, which stands for “Rakyat akan buang Umno” (the people will overthrow Umno).

The messages referred to today, the nomination day, and July 24, a Wednesday, which is the polling day.

Party spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was all smiles as he joined other PAS leaders, including president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali, and vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar.

Leaders from other Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parties also lent their support, with DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali also present.

Politicians from both divide shared a rare cordial moment outside the Parliament today, as BN leaders went over to PR’s tent in front of the nomination centre to greet them over small talk.

BN has nominated Tengku Zaihan Che Ku Abdul Rahman, 37, a former Besut Drainage and Irrigation Department engineer. PAS’ Azlan Yusof, 48, popularly known as Che Long by locals, is a class A contractor specialising in construction and civil engineering projects.

The late assemblyman for Kuala Besut, BN’s Dr A. Rahman Mokhtar, had won by a 2,434-vote majority in the last polls.

The Kuala Besut by-election will be held on July 24. The state seat has 17,679 registered voters.