Something quite unique happened in a corner of Lembah Pantai last night. This is perhaps the hottest constituency in KL and throughout the space of an evening, there occurred an event that said a great deal about the state of this great nation.

There was a mixture of the old and the new: all of it with a view to the future.

On one level this was a celebration. Of diversity, difference and tolerance. Music from across the cultures blended with politics from across the history. A country that celebrated independence a mere 50 years ago and yet has made such undeniable strides forward that no Malaysian could surely deny.

Fiery rap from the heartland, Chinese pop and melodies and the regal Siti Nurhaliza all proceeded the arrival of the deputy Prime Minister and the incumbent MP of 12 years, Dato’ Shahrizat.

Even Malaysia’s first astronaut landed on the stage.

Roads where closed and a huge crowd let the Dato’ know why she is so loved here.

Dato’ Shahrizat pulls no punches.

For the third time in almost as many days she patiently and persuasively states her case as to why she is determined to remain a servant of this constituency.

Her record stands for itself.

Twelve years of introducing changes the 200,000 people plus who live here request. She realises security is an issue and was happy to go on record to request a Police Station in this part of the constituency.

She identifies herself as a public servant and states her legitimacy on that basis.

If the Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai can control her audience, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak commands a stage.

His deep baritone voice rang out last night over the whole of Lembah Pantai.

He reminded his audience what has been achieved and of how there was so much more to come. That if this constituency is a barometer for a tolerant, vibrant Malaysia: it has his vote, too.

He also reminded his audience that more of the same is sometimes the blueprint for exactly the sort of change that Malaysia needs.

Less than 24 hours ago I saw him deliver the same message to a very different audience. The tone was different, the premise the same: the promise identical.

This is a vast country, but its wealth remains the same wherever you go.

It’s a wealth of people and Barisan Nasional is determined to ensure that this inestimable value is developed and realised for the future.

Only they perhaps can realise this.

Last night, I witnessed two people proud to stand up and proclaim so.

One is a prominent Cabinet Minister, the other incidentally: the Deputy Prime Minister.

Never has the message been clearer, or more forcefully delivered.

Malaysians have now a chance to decide.

Choose wisely; choose for the future.

The night was buzzing with activity at Kampung Tunku, two nights before polling. A “Honk if you support BN” banner hung appropriately at the lawn area where tables, chairs and delicious food were laid out. Candidates and friends shared ideas and stories against the warm and comfortable setting of a night of camaraderie.

Pekan is a fascinating constituency in many respects. It's home to the Deputy Prime Minister for starters. Its not the biggest constituency - in terms of number of voters. But it certainly sprawls; covering a chunk of Pahang.

It has got a lot of history too. Home to Tun Razak, it resonates with politics and this shows. Perhaps there was some of this history on display last night. The Deputy PM sped through the night at the end of yet another long day of campaigning which had seen him earlier in Terrengganu to visit a Orang Asli community that obviously remains dear to his heart.

The warmth on show was evident right from the start.
Hundreds of people had braved yet more rain to give him an effusive welcome. Speakers provided testimony to Barisan's commitment to even the smaller sections of this diverse Malysian society and when Dato’ Sri Najib rose to address the crowd there was appreciation from all corners of a gathering that at times seemed more like a wedding celebration than the closing stages of an election campaign.

If there was a highlight and there were many, it perhaps came as the Deputy PM took the mike for an impromptu song. He can carry a tune and was only outperformed this evening by his wife! Who followed her husband onto the stage and soon had the crowd joining in.

All too soon the cavalcade moved on to yet more visits to far flung corners of this vast constituency as the campaign moved into top gear for the final days of Election 2008. But there were beaming faces in this part of Malaysia tonight and if this was any indication at all, then there will be more to come.

At the end of the day, elections are about people and candidates.

It is the people who choose the candidate that they are going to vote for.

If there is one location in KL where the will of the people seems closer to the surface, it is probably the constituency including Kampung Baru.

Here the emotions and passion of election time seem very real. Perhaps it is because a lot of rakyat actually live in close proximity to one another.

This makes for an intense, heartfelt and sincere battle.

If you stroll through the area of an afternoon, the first thing that strikes you is the posters and flags. They are almost artwork to themselves.

Profoundly territorial yet at the same time, deeply respectful.

Overall, there is a degree of tolerance here.

Blocks, stalls and outlets proclaim their allegiances.

Another night of rain on the campaign trail. The clouds were lifted by two resounding performances in the Lembah Pantai constituency as two political heavyweights stormed the stage and presented a combined front to chase away the clouds and emphasise why there is only one party capable of leading Malaysia forward.

The first was a speech by Dato’ Seri Shahrizat. In the setting of a spanking-new housing project in Penjuru Depan, the cabinet Minister shone. She told it exactly as it is and received applause as a result.

It is worth seeing the Minister in full flow. She commands the stage like no one else.

Only one person could follow.

The Prime Minister stood up to cheers that raised the roof.

I had my eye on him during the Cabinet Minister’s speech. He was taking in every word.

When he rose to speak, he built on the message.

What belief can the rakyat have if opponents promise so much, but can deliver on so little? If they raise issues, yet the solutions remain opportunistic?

The Prime Minister delivered a solid rebuttal during a thoughtful speech, to many people. At the end, I doubt that there was anyone in Penjuru Depan who doubted the ability of Barisan Nasional to deliver for all Malaysians.

For the PM, the solution is straightforward.

During these times, it is the people you know to trust who are the people you trust to know.

As I left a buzzing ceramah; the rain seemed to have stopped!

Take one very large KL constituency. That stretches across all strata of Malaysian society. A consummate politician and very committed Cabinet Minister and what do you get?

The answer is Lembah Pantai and perhaps one of the most important seats in the Klang Valley.

Dato’ Seri Shahrizat is no stranger to the tough political fight and throughout Sunday's campaigning she revealed the resilience that will return her for another term.

There was absolutely no let up in the pace as she showcased her uniquely engaging style of campaigning throughout the constituency. From the more well to do suburbs in the sunlight, to a ceramah in the heart of the Pasar Malam and finally a damp meeting with voters in Brickfields, the Minister for Women, Family and Community Development showed exactly why she can communicate with hearts and minds in all settings.

By the end of the day, although hoarse of voice, the message was the same: take nothing for granted, explain your views and aims and respectfully encourage people to exercise their right to vote.

At a packed ceramah in Bangsar she would again emphasise that this was a government that was listening and that whilst reforms were ongoing it would be Barisan Nasional that could be trusted to deliver on security, peace and prosperity.

Dato’ Seri Shahrizat was supported at the meeting by Dato’ Nazir Razak, CIMB CEO, who before an impromptu Q&A session explained that it was this candidate and this government that had convinced him to take an active role in the political process.

She fervently believes that Barisan alone can continue the progress of the last years; will deliver on promises and that it is the stability that they alone represent that will ensure the best future.

It is a message that she is committed to communicating right up until polling - to all segments of the people she serves and represents.

A message that says that at this stage of its development, Malaysia needs the consistency of leadership that delivered the country to this enviable position.  The strength and abilities of the Government to meet new challenges that may emerge and the vision that only Barisan Nasional can provide to enable the country to move forward.