Rebuffing PN's offensive, Johor DAP man says Rahmah unites people

 

PULAI BY-ELECTION | A Johor Pakatan Harapan leader has chided Perikatan Nasional’s Simpang Jeram candidate Dr Mohd Mazri Yahya for pledging to train his guns at DAP.

Johor DAP deputy chief Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali cited Mazri’s reported remarks earlier today, saying he wants to “break down the wall of animosity built by DAP”.

“What kind of politics do we want to call this? We do not want to highlight divisiveness,” said the former Paloh assemblyperson.

Sheikh Umar was speaking while on the campaign trail for Harapan’s Pulai candidate Suhaizan Kaiat, adding that he accompanied Harapan’s candidate for Simpang Jeram Nazri Abdul Rahman earlier today to submit his nomination.

Earlier, Mazri claimed that DAP had stereotyped PAS as being a party of ‘lebai’ - a reference to the skullcaps worn by its members - and that had purportedly stoked animosity between Muslims and non-Muslims.

In a rebuttal, Sheikh Umar brought up the ‘Rahmah’ concept introduced by the late Pulai MP Salahuddin Ayub, who was also the domestic trade and cost of living minister.

“Rahmah is beyond just cheaper goods, sales or food basket… Rahmah means we don’t differentiate between races.

“Rahmah is a concept that unites the people,” he said, in front of a gathering at Perling assemblyperson Liew Chin Tong’s operation centre tonight.

The event was the official launch of Harapan’s campaign machinery by Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and was attended by Harapan and BN leaders, including Pulai Umno division chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed.

‘Our blood is similar’

In his speech, Nur Jazlan admitted he still felt awkward talking on a Harapan stage, particularly one set up by DAP.

However, he told the gathered supporters he had a long personal relationship with Liew, built since 2008 during their time in Parliament.

Pulai Umno chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed (seated in black)

“Even our blood is similar. I have Chinese blood too,” he quipped.

“Even in Umno, my campaigns have always been on the moderate path. Because to be divided will only destroy the country.”

At the same time, Nur Jazlan, who yesterday dismissed rumours of rejection from among Umno Pulai branches towards Suhaizan, said he would be meeting with their leaders and persuade them to support Harapan. - Mkini