Akmal not told to stay away from Mahkota campaign: Umno leader

 

MAHKOTA BY-ELECTION | Umno supreme council member Ahmad Maslan denied that party youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh was asked to stay away from the campaign over the halal certification issue.

He said the situation between Akmal and DAP’s Teresa Kok is a personal matter between the two that does not extend to their respective parties.

“This is a clash between two people. That’s how I see it.

“A clash between two people and not a clash between two (political) parties,” he told reporters at a Mid-Autumn Festival event held at the Che Luan Khor Moral Uplifting Society in Kluang, Johor tonight.

Earlier, a report by Free Malaysia Today cited an anonymous Umno leader saying Akmal’s role in the by-election was reduced to avoid causing discomfort among Chinese voters.

This is because Chinese Malaysians comprise about 35 percent of the electorate in Mahkota.

Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh

Before the by-election campaign began, two Pakatan Harapan leaders expressed concern that Akmal’s attacks against Kok may hurt BN’s chances of winning.

Rice distribution

Meanwhile, Ahmad denied that BN had distributed rice to voters as part of its campaign strategy.

The distribution of rice occurred before the Sept 14 nomination day and was part of a Johor state welfare programme, he explained.

“Before the campaign (starts), you can give anything you want. It does not violate any election rules,” he said.

Ahmad also cautioned Perikatan Nasional against weaponising slander in the election campaign.

“Spreading slander, lies, and hate should never become our political culture in Johor and Malaysia,” he added.

Kluang Umno Youth chief Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah faces PN’s Mohd Haizan Jaafar in the Mahkota by-election.

The Election Commission set Sept 24 and 28 for early voting and polling day, respectively.

The by-election was called following the death of incumbent assemblyperson Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 63, on Aug 2. - Mkini