Reject Harapan's politics of violence and insults, Zahid tells voters

GE14 | Voters should reject the politics of violence and insults demonstrated by the opposition in the lead-up to the 14th general election, caretaker deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was quoted as saying by Bernama today.

He was commenting on an incident in which the side mirror of a campaign vehicle of BN’s Bandar Kuching candidate Kho Teck Wan was smashed in Tabuan Jaya, Sarawak last Saturday, while a banner of BN’s Bakri candidate, Koh Chon Chai was damaged.

Zahid said these were a “desperate tactic”, because Harapan could “smell the growing momentum of BN”.

He was speaking to reporters after a feast to celebrate a National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) programme with the Communications and Multimedia Ministry for the Bagan Datuk parliamentary constituency in Kampung Pasang Api today.

Bernama further quoted Zahid as saying that Perak DAP chairperson Nga Kor Ming had demonstrated the tactics of a desperado, by using curse words during his Teluk Intan campaign.

“Everybody knows of his method in Taiping and now here (Telok Intan). I think the people of Teluk Intan are aware of the performance of (Gerakan president) Mah Siew Keong as he is also a local boy,” he said.

A three-cornered fight is set to take place in Telok Intan, with Mah, Nga and PAS’ Ahmad Ramadzan Ahmad Daud all vying for the parliamentary seat.

Liow: ‘Stop thug-like behaviour’

Meanwhile, Bernama also reported that MCA president Liow Tiong Lai urged Harapan to stop behaving like thugs by hurting members of the public, and to act within bounds.   

Liow said it was shameful that a 74-year-old BN supporter had been pushed off the stage in Yong Peng, Johor yesterday by a person believed to be a Harapan supporter.

The man had reportedly suffered three broken ribs as a result of the incident, which was triggered when he began removing PKR flags from a venue where an MCA ceramah was being held.

“I have directed MCA to lodge a police report and arrest should be made against the offender. The victim who was punched and fell off the stage should be accorded justice,” Liow was reported as saying.   

He expressed sadness about the “violent” nature of Malaysian politics, and urged the Election Commission (EC) to monitor the situation to “ensure peace and harmony” during the election.

Liow also gave his assurance that MCA members would not retaliate against opposition supporters.

“We in MCA and BN are very responsible, we act maturely, we do not have thuggish behaviour like what was seen in DAP,” he was quoted as saying.

Liow, who is BN's Bentong parliamentary seat candidate, was speaking to reporters at the Felda Mempaga 3 Family Day celebration in Bentong today. - Mkini