‘SABOTAGE’ BUT MCA SAYS IT’S ‘COINCIDENCE’: SUDDEN BLACKOUT IN PAKATAN’S AYER HITAM EVENT ONLY MAKES KA SIONG LOOK MORE ‘CHICKEN’

Already facing a hurdle in holding an event in a key Malay village in Ayer Hitam, DAP suffered a further setback last night when a forum had to be cancelled after the lights went out.

The ‘Umno Kalah, Tergugatkah Melayu?’ (Malays under threat if Umno loses?) forum in the Johor parliamentary constituency was to have featured Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar, human rights lawyer Syahredzan Johan and DAP Paloh candidate Sheikh Omar Ali.

The talk was slated to be held in the Dato Sukiman Sahlan R&R in Parit Botak at 9pm.

But illumination only came from the pavilion with the rest of the street lights and nearby stores turned off.

About 30 Pakatan Harapan supporters had gathered in the darkness waiting for the forum to begin.

Johor DAP chief and Ayer Hitam candidate Liew Chin Tong smelled sabotage.

“Suddenly the lights were turned off. I heard that the owner was instructed to close the store.

“I believe our opponent is trying to prevent us from holding any activity here. I hope our opponent can adhere to (the principle of) fair competition. They did not need to sabotage us and prevent voters from getting in touch with us,” he told reporters when met.

“Previously, (incumbent Semarang assemblyperson) Samsol Bari Jamali asked villagers not to let me enter the Malay area.

“I hope Samsol and (incumbent Ayer Hitam MP) Wee Ka Siong can promise fair competition in engaging voters,” he added.

Liew noted that if the event was indeed sabotaged, it would have little effect as Harapan could still disseminate what was to be discussed at the forum through social media.

“There is no benefit in locking the place up as everyone can still access the internet…,” he said.

The Dato Sukiman Sahlan R&R is managed by the Batu Pahat Municipal Council. It is learned that DAP did not submit an official application to the council to hold the event.

However, Samsol denied Umno sabotaged the DAP event.

“RNR was managed by the relevant shop owners. Umno does not have right to force them to open business or not,” he told Malaysiakini through WhatsApp.

‘A coincidence’

Meanwhile, MCA Ayer Hitam chief Ling Tian Soon said he had no knowledge of DAP holding an event there.

“Regarding the blackout, it is akin to the one I had during my meeting this afternoon. It may be coincidence,” he told Malaysiakini when contacted.

At a BN gathering held in Parit Londang Darat earlier this month, Samsol asked Malay voters to reject Liew and DAP in the May 9 general election.

Liew is slated to face off with Wee, the MCA deputy president, in the battle for Ayer Hitam.

Located in central Johor, Ayer Hitam’s 46,249 voters are 57.9 percent Malay, 38.1 percent Chinese and 3.9 percent Indian.

In the last polls five years ago, Wee won by a 7,310-vote majority, with strong support from Kampung Parit, which is located in the state seat of Semarang.

This is despite MCA losing the Chinese-majority Yong Peng state seat, which is also located in the same parliamentary constituency.

Kampung Parit villagers make up 40 percent of Ayer Hitam voters, which Harapan must court if their ‘Malay tsunami’ against BN is to come to pass.

MKINI