Campaign to 'stab' Anwar in KKB polls

 

There is a campaign to “stab” Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in the upcoming Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) by-election in Selangor.

A check by Malaysiakini revealed that several quarters comprising former ministers, former Pakatan Harapan leaders and allies, as well as NGO representatives are holding meetings with local leaders and the Indian community’s representatives urging for a boycott of the May 11 polls.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a former DAP leader said the move is not to help Perikatan Nasional win the election but rather to send a clear message to the prime minister that the Indian community is not satisfied with his government.

“We believe a boycott is the best way to send the signal,” he told Malaysiakini.

Accusing Anwar’s government of sidelining Indians, he asked: “How much allocation has been given to Tamil schools, how many Indian students obtained matriculation seats?”

“For the first time in history, there is no minister of Tamil origin in the cabinet. The prime minister has Malay and Chinese political secretaries but no Indians.

“These are just some of the issues which we are disatisfied with and must be corrected. So we are asking the Indian voters in KKB to ‘tikam’ (stab) Anwar,” he added.

On April 14, the prime minister had denied neglecting the Indian community and highlighted the various initiatives put in place to assist the community.

“If I didn’t do anything for the Indian community, you have the right to ‘stab’ me,” he said.

Selangor exco V Papparaidu confirmed with Malaysiakini that there is an attempt to convince Indian voters to boycott the by-election.

“This is wrong and goes against the Federal Constitution,” he added.

‘DAP needs to be defeated’

Meanwhile, Pertubuhan Rapat Aman Malaysia (Rapat) A Rajaretinam urged Indian voters to cast spoilt votes. 

“We just want to say that DAP needs to be defeated. Indian voters must give a ‘gift’ to DAP.

“This is just a by-election for a state seat. DAP’s defeat will not change the (political) equation in the state. This is just a strong message from the Indian community (to DAP),” he added.

The KKB seat fell vacant following the death of its incumbent from DAP, Lee Kee Hiong, on  March 21.

The seat comprises 18 percent Indian voters. Malay voters make up 46.3 percent and Chinese voters 30.7 percent, followed by others (five percent). - Mkini