SLIM POLLS | Midway through the campaign for Slim, signs on the ground indicate that Umno/BN is widening the gap between its candidate Mohd Zaidi Aziz and his independent rival Amir Khusyairi Mohamad Tanusi who is backed by Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Pejuang.

Umno began as a clear favourite from the get-go due to its past record in the constituency and the voter demographics that are 75 percent Malay, 13 percent Indian and 10 percent Chinese.

With a week to go to polling day on Aug 29, Slim has seen intensified campaigning by BN with numerous coalition big guns making their presence felt. Early voting is set for Aug 25.

On the other hand, Amir is disadvantaged by the lack of visible support from nationally recognised leaders from the Pakatan Harapan camp.

To turn this around, Amir is going to have to pull off something special.

That said, Zaidi's campaign has not been without its hiccups especially after the unease among Umno grassroots in accepting Bersatu as a Muafakat Nasional partner was exposed during a BN youth programme attended by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The crowds, comprising youth chiefs and members of various Umno divisions, were seen booing Bersatu Youth whenever Zahid mentioned the latter in his speech.

To add salt to the wound...