Hulu Selangor MP Hasnizan Harun questioned where Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Zulkifli Hasan is getting his funding from amid rumours that he may contest the former’s seat in the 16th general election.
In a statement posted on his Facebook yesterday, the Perikatan Nasional lawmaker said that as a senator appointed to the Dewan Negara, Zulkifli does not have a constituency and its accompanying allocation, but has been frequently seen in Hulu Selangor recently.
“I would still like to remind everyone that if ministry funds are being used, they involve all 222 parliamentary constituencies across the country. That is all I wish to say.
“There is no issue with contesting, but if ministry funds are being used, one must be mindful of other constituencies as well, and if government machinery is being used to assist, that is not the proper way to do things. They are not sincerely helping; they are compelled to do so because of instructions.
“If you want support from government staff who are voters in Hulu Selangor, do not pressure them. Just my suggestion, if you want their votes,” Hasnizan said.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported intensifying speculations that Zulkifli has increased activity on the ground in the Hulu Selangor parliamentary constituency in recent months.
This sparked questions over whether the academic and preacher is being groomed as a PKR candidate for the upcoming national polls.
‘Signals’ from the top
According to a party source close to PKR’s senior leadership, there have been “signals” from the top for Zulkifli to increase his presence in the constituency as part of early preparations for GE16.
“There have indeed been indications and instructions from the top leadership for Zulkifli to begin moving actively in Hulu Selangor.
“This is among the constituencies that the government is focusing on to wrestle back from PN in the next general election.
“He is not only seen making appearances, but also bringing various welfare and religious assistance programmes. This is a strategy to win over voters here,” the source told Malaysiakini.
Checks by Malaysiakini on social media platforms found that since February, Zulkifli has attended at least two to three large-scale programmes in Hulu Selangor.
On Feb 27, he conducted a working visit to Darul Quran in Kuala Kubu Bharu, where he engaged with the Orang Asli community and students with disabilities, and delivered Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah cash assistance.
On March 17, he returned to the area to officiate the Ihya Ramadan programme in Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Manchung and to present contributions to local residents.
The constituency has approximately 140,000 registered voters and is categorised as a mixed seat, with an ethnic composition of 63.4 percent Malay, 17.8 percent Chinese, 14.9 percent Indian, with the remainder comprised of Orang Asli and other communities.
Malaysiakini attempted to obtain responses from both Zulkifli and PKR’s central leadership, but did not receive any as of the time of writing. - Mkini
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