Boycott of KKB polls will come at a price, MIC man warns

 

A large crowd of Pakatan Harapan supporters in Kuala Kubu Baharu on Saturday for the nomination of DAP’s Pang Sock Tao as the PH by-election candidate. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: A divisional MIC leader has urged party members and Indian voters in Kuala Kubu Baharu not to boycott the May 11 by-election, warning that doing so will come at a price for the community.

Hulu Selangor MIC chief K Balasundaram admitted that there were some party members who were struggling to accept Barisan Nasional’s cooperation with DAP, but said they were in the minority.

He urged MIC grassroots thinking about boycotting the by-election to consider the matter carefully.

“If we boycott the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, will we be able to help uplift the Indian community there? Because if the opposition (Perikatan Nasional) wins the by-election the state government would not change hands, and neither will the federal government,” he told FMT.

K Balasundaram.

Two weeks ago, DAP’s Banting assemblyman V Papparaidu claimed that certain opposition-friendly groups were going door-to-door in Kuala Kubu Baharu, urging Indian voters to boycott the by-election. “Certain Indian leaders” were also involved, he said, and urged them to stop.

On the other hand, former DAP stalwart P Ramasamy had said his party Urimai would advise voters against supporting the PH candidate, Pang Sock Tao of DAP, due to dissatisfaction with the unity government’s treatment of the Indian community.

Kuala Kubu Baharu has a mixed electorate comprising 50% Malay, 30% Chinese and 18% Indian voters.

A Selangor DAP leader has previously said the party will need at least 60% of Indian votes to retain the state seat, which it has held since 2013.

Balasundaram said he has repeatedly advised MIC members to accept the current political reality, which is that BN must work with the current unity government for the sake of the Indian community.

“There are about 20% (of grassroot members) who cannot accept working with DAP but we are trying to persuade and make them understand (the situation),” he said. adding that BN and DAP’s long-time enmity was what made it hard for some to work with PH.

Isa Abu Kassim.

Hulu Selangor Umno chief Isa Abu Kassim admitted that it has been tough to get party members and the Malay voters at large to accept DAP. “But we will go down to the ground and explain the matter to them. That’s our job. We have to work hard, we know it will be a challenge.”

Isa said Selangor Umno’s entire machinery will be mobilised for the by-election to explain to Malay voters the necessity to partner with PH, particularly DAP. - FMT

Unity govt no different from the past in Chegubard case, says Suaram

 

On at least seven occasions, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reneged on his promise to limit the use of the Sedition Act, says Sevan Doraisamy.

PETALING JAYA: The human rights group Suaram has accused the unity government of being no different from its predecessors with the arrest of Bersatu activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin on sedition charges.

It said Badrul’s arrest and subsequent two-day remand were “acts of repressive intimidation”. It accused the government of weaponising the Sedition Act against its critics, particularly those in the opposition.

Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had, on at least seven occasions, reneged on his commitment to limit the use of the controversial law only against criticism of the Rulers.

Instead, there had been investigations and charges laid against those making statements concerning the Pardons Board, Malaysia-Israel relations, the judiciary, the unity government’s establishment and Anwar himself.

“Let us not forget that repealing the Sedition Act was a promise made by the Pakatan Harapan coalition in their election manifesto – which was then broken,” he said in a statement.

Sevan said the continued enforcement of the Sedition Act would hinder Malaysia’s progress towards becoming a true democracy as the public will not be allowed to fully enjoy meaningful and diverse discourse on public interest issues.

The government should always be open to public scrutiny and criticism, and this was especially crucial for unelected figures, including the monarchs, he said, urging the government to repeal the Sedition Act.

Badrul, also known as Chegubard, was detained at the Dang Wangi police headquarters yesterday over a posting on a Bloomberg report of purported talks between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Berjaya founder Vincent Tan and Genting Group’s Lim Kok Thay on opening a casino at Forest City in Johor.

He will face two charges at the Kuala Lumpur cybercrime sessions court today, one of which involves a post he made about a meeting last month between the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, and KK Mart founder Chai Kee Kan. - FMT

Indie candidate rebuffs criticisms

DAY 3 | It’s the third day of the 14-day campaigning period for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election before voters head to the polls on May 11.

We will provide reports from time to time from the ground.

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Indie candidate rebuffs criticisms

8am: Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor - Besides candidates from Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional, and Parti Rakyat Malaysia, an independent candidate has also entered the fray.

Nyau Ke Xin, 27, is the youngest candidate in the by-election. Hailing from the coastal town of Sabak Bernam in northwest Selangor, she now works in the state’s capital - Shah Alam.

After becoming a candidate, she faced many criticisms. In response, she clarified on TikTok that she has never joined or was employed by any political party.

“Do not be deceived by the words of some irresponsible parties. I have never been a member of any political party, as claimed by some.

“I am not paid by MCA, DAP, Gerakan, or PN. Do not be deceived by these parties who hope that I will withdraw from this by-election.” - Mkini

Chegubard to face defamation, sedition charges today

 

A member of Bersatu’s Information Committee, Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, is expected to be charged at the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur for defamation and sedition.

His counsel, Rafique Rashid Ali, when contacted by Bernama, said his client would be charged at the Cyber Sessions Court at 9.30am.

According to the lawyer, he received the confirmation regarding the matter from Bukit Aman.

Rafique Rashid said Badrul Hisham (above) will face charges of issuing defamatory statements under Section 500 of the Penal Code and sedition under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948.

“The defamatory statements made by the owner of Facebook account under the handle Chegu Bard using the name of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia and the sedition charge related to the issue involving KK Supermart & Superstore Sdn Bhd founder seeking audience with Sultan Ibrahim,” he said.

- Bernama

'Jewel' Sarawak might outshine Selangor soon - Abang Johari

Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg said many investors have started to view the territory as a “jewel” as its economic performance has surpassed that of Johor.

“We have overtaken Johor, we are a top three (territory) now, and soon we might overtake Selangor, which is why many people want to move here.

“But we want people who can bring new ideas and good proposals,” he said.

Abang Johari (above) was speaking to reporters after the World Water Day celebration in Kuching, yesterday.

He also echoed what Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof said, that investors must deposit at least RM2 million or buy property worth not less than RM1.5 million to obtain permanent residency (PR) in Malaysia.

The same is required to get a PR in Sarawak.

“If you want to be a permanent resident, then you have to invest your money here,” Abang Johari added.

Fadillah, an MP from Sarawak (Petra Jaya), had said that many business people from Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah have expressed interest in migrating to Sarawak due to the business and investment prospects available in the territory.

- Bernama