Food stalls a religious tradition, not ‘treating’, says Manogaran

Stalls set up by Pakatan Harapan to distribute food outside the Sri Subramaniar temple in Ringlet.

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) candidate in the Cameron Highlands by-election today defended the set up of stalls to distribute food outside the Sri Subramaniar temple in Ringlet, in the wake of the Election Commission’s (EC) call for all candidates to refrain from “treating”.

Speaking to reporters, DAP’s M Manogaran said the distribution of food outside the temple was a religious tradition.

“Treating is when you identify particular voters. This is for the public and for tourists who pass by.

“This is our tradition. So do not connect it with (treating). I think the EC is extending it too far if it says that,” he said, adding that theirs were not the only stalls serving food there.

He also rubbished allegations by Umno that DAP was a racist party which neglected the Muslims and Malays.

“Tok Mat as a senior leader in the party should set an example and not play up racial sentiments,” he said, referring to Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan.

“DAP is not a racist party. Calling us racist and communists will only reflect badly on them.

“This is not how we campaign. Don’t use extremist methods like these to make DAP look bad in order to win the by-election,” he said.

He also urged senior Umno leaders to be more moderate. “They also have Chinese and Indian parties as their components. How are they going to explain that?”

“For this by-election, I urge them to stop all this,” he added. - FMT