PONTIAN: Johor Menteri Besar Dr Sahruddin Jamal today brushed off claims by the state opposition leader that he tried to seize the microphone of a Umno Youth member during the Tanjung Piai by-election campaign trial.
State opposition leader Hasni Mohammad had alleged that Sahruddin tried to grab Umno Youth member Farhan Khairudin’s microphone when the latter was speaking at a walkabout at a night market here.
Hasni, who is also Benut assemblyman, claimed that the menteri besar came out from his car when Barisan Nasional members were campaigning at the market.
He said Sahruddin tried to seize Farhan’s microphone because he was angry listening to Farhan’s speech.
Speaking to reporters after officiating the Kukup ferry terminal, Sahruddin said he was not angry at that time with the BN campaign team.
“I did not look angry at that time, did I? I was only asking for permission to speak,” he said.
Sahruddin also told Hasni to check his facts before making any accusations.
“This is not the time to provoke. We need to be united as Bangsa Johor,” he said.
On criticisms by electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 that he tried to fish for votes from fishermen by handling them RM1,000 as compassionate payments during the campaign period, Sahruddin said there is no problem in doing so.
“If it does not violate any laws, I think there is no problem. This payment was also handed out in previous years,” he said.
The Bersih 2.0 steering committee today said the attempt to fish for votes from the fishermen is not illegal under current laws, but it is clearly unethical.
The group said Sahruddin and his state government should adhere to the principles of free and fair elections by not giving out handouts and other government allocations until the Tanjung Piai by-election is over. - FMT
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