MELAKA: It was a sunny Sunday but the heat came more from the intense campaigning. Barisan Nasional, for instance, upped its momentum yesterday with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob making an appearance at several localities in Melaka to meet voters ahead of polling day this Saturday.

       He visited Telok Mas, Sungai Udang, Lendu, Jasin, Asahan and Barisan’s command centre in Ayer Keroh.

       Ismail Sabri began his day by having breakfast with locals at a restaurant in Kampung Alai in the Telok Mas state constituency, before departing to the Barisan operations centre in Sungai Udang.

       After briefing party supporters, he then headed to a Barisan event at another restaurant in Masjid Tanah.

       Around noon, he arrived for lunch at Pekan Selandar in the Asahan constituency, where he was received by party supporters.

       Ismail Sabri was also welcomed by locals who mobbed him for wefies.

       Prior to his arrival, Barisan advisory board chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak also met locals at the same restaurant in Selandar, which was situated next to the Asahan Barisan district polling centre.

       Najib was well received by locals, too. Many people swarmed the restaurant, wanting to catch a glimpse of the former prime minister.

       As Najib left the restaurant, the people sought him out for wefies.

       Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri also visited Batu Berendam, where he took the opportunity to visit the family of the late fireman Mohd Diya Che Jusoh who drowned during a rescue operation in Sungai Putat last month.

       During the visit, he handed an offer letter to Mohd Diya’s eldest son, Muhammad Daniel Hakime, 18, to further his studies in automotive at the Bukit Beruang Community College.

       Widow Noraida Che Noh, 39, told reporters that she appreciated the kind gesture.

       “I’m grateful to Allah because the Prime Minister himself came to give the letter.

       “I am grateful to Allah for the Prime Minister’s concern for the rakyat.

       “I also wish to say thank you to the community college for giving the opportunity to my son to continue his education there.

       “It is also my late husband’s wish for his eldest son to study in a field he is interested in,” she added.

       Muhammad Daniel was delighted to be given the opportunity.

       “I cannot describe the feeling. I never felt so happy like this. My hope is to make my father and mother proud,” he said.

       Later on, Ismail Sabri headed to the Barisan command centre at Ayer Keroh, where he gave a closed door briefing to Barisan supporters.

       He returned to Kuala Lumpur in the evening.

       Early voting for the Melaka polls takes place tomorrow.