Hisham's aide: New Sembrong base meant for security, not politics

Sembrong Umno Youth has brushed aside allegations that military personnel are being registered as new voters in the constituency, although the new base to house them has yet to be completed.

According to Sembrong Umno Youth division chief Onn Hafiz Ghazi, the establishment of military bases in the constituency was not politically motivated, as claimed by DAP.

Moreover, the new base would not be completed before the general election, said Onn Hafiz, adding that critics were trying to undermine the Sembrong Umno division head and Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein, who is also the defence minister.

"(The allegations) were aimed at confusing (the public) and undermining public trust in the defence minister.

"Had the establishment of the new Sembrong base been political, surely Hishammuddin would have made sure (the base) was completed before the general election," he said.

However, Onn Hafiz does not address the allegation raised by Johor DAP leaders regarding the voter lists which showed that about 1,000 military personnel are registered as voters using the address of the new base, although it is not completed.

Johor DAP had speculated that this was an attempt to help pad the Sembrong constituency with the military, which historically has been very inclined to back BN.

DAP leaders had also claimed that there were similar occurrences in the constituencies of Segamat, Hutan Melintang, Bera, Kota Belud and Lahad Datu.

Several voters have filed a suit against the Election Commision to strike out voters who are registered using the Segamat military base as an address.

Meanwhile, Onn Hafiz claimed that new military bases were established based on the security needs of the country and invited DAP to speak to him if they have any doubts.

"If they have doubts, I, as the political secretary to the defence minister, am always open to questions," he said.- Mkini