As we move closer to the date of the 14th Malaysian general election (GE14), politicians will be criss-crossing the country, making appearances and giving interviews.

And sometimes, they say interesting things that make you go "Wait, what?"

Here's a round-up of the darndest things that's happened in the past week.

Vote or don't vote, up to you

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that it was up to Malaysians working in Singapore whether they should go back home to vote. He said:

"As voting is individual's right, the government has no rejection nor encouragement in this issue."

Ahmad was in Kluang, Johor on April 13, at a meet-and-greet session.

He added that the Barisan Nasional were "closely" monitoring Pakatan Harapan's plans to send top-tier candidates to compete in Johor.

Johor is a key battleground state in the upcoming election. The party that wins the most seats in Johor might go on to win the election.

However, unlike other Malaysian overseas voters, Malaysians in Singapore can't vote by post and must return to cast their ballot.

Money for taxi drivers, regulation for Grab drivers

Prime Minister Najib Razak announced RM53.6 million (S$18.12 million) in support for taxi drivers in Malaysia.

More than 67,000 taxi drivers will receive the Kad Bantuan Teksi 1Malaysia (1Malaysia Taxi Aid Card).

Each card carries a value of RM800 (S$270.50) that can be used to buy petrol or natural gas at Petronas stations across the country.

Also, the card grants personal accident insurance coverage of up to RM50,000 (S$16,900).

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Said Najib in a speech at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang in Selangor:

"I realise that taxi drivers have been facing challenges as e-hailing grows in our country, although it is a service that the public wants. The Government wants to do something to ensure that taxi drivers' welfare is looked after."

On a similar theme, Najib said that the Land Public Transport (Amendment) Bill 2017 was gazetted on April 6.

This Bill will ensure that private hire drivers will be subject to the same regulations as taxi drivers, such as background, health and vehicle checks. Said Najib:

"As the Cabinet has approved this, I have instructed enforcement to be carried out on the same day it was enforced so that there is fairness for all."

First the civil servants, and now the taxi drivers? Najib's making a lot of friends.

Popular AF

In an interesting twist, former Prime Minister and Pakatan Harapan candidate Mahathir Mohamad is officially the most "admired man" in Malaysia.

According to a survey done by YouGov, a UK research firm, Mahathir is more admired than luminaries like Bill Gates, Barack Obama, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Najib Razak came in at 15th place, below Lionel Messi and Andy Lau.

And in another survey of most admired women in Malaysia, Mahathir's wife Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali ranked second, just behind star singer Siti Nurhaliza.

The YouGov study is conducted online, which might be a clue towards Mahathir's popularity with the younger generation.

But it remains to be seen if this will translate into votes.

Top image adapted from Najib Razak and Mahathir Mohamad's Facebook pages.