At a press conference later, Muhyiddin dismissed suggestions that BN was allowing a rookie Kamalanathan to go against 'heavyweight' Zaid, 59.

Maybe in size he is heavier than our candidate. If you look at his record, it is not all that good. (Moreover), he is not local. Very lightweight. In fact, featherweight, he said.

To a question, Muhyiddin offered words of consolation to MIC deputy Palanivel, who was dropped at the eleventh-hour as the candidate and did not attend the ceremony.

Maybe he had other work (to do). Maybe he is disappointed, but it won't be for long. Hopefully, no one says anything about this. It is just normal human behaviour, he said.

Camera : Amir Abdullah

Editing : Maran Perianen