PD POLLS | Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo has joined Anwar Ibrahim's campaign for the Port Dickson by-election, just a day after the Pakatan Harapan candidate complained to him about internet speed and coverage in the constituency.
"After I launched e-tuition programme yesterday, a teacher ask me how they are going to go online when many places have no internet coverage.
"I called Gobind this morning (Friday), I said please come and have a look. He said he will come tomorrow (Saturday), and to be patient.
"We are lucky as the minister is part of our gang. If this had happened previously, (would) an Umno minister listen to me?" Anwar told a ceramah in Linggi on the campaign trail last night.
According to the itinerary sent out by Harapan, Gobind will have breakfast with voters in Sri Tanjung before proceeding to a walkabout on the Teluk Kemang beach. There is no mention, however, of him coming in his capacity as a cabinet minister.
Speaking to reporters this morning, Gobind denied his participation in the campaign had anything to do with him receiving the call from Anwar yesterday.
'I'm here as Gobind, not minister'
When asked if his ministry would look into Port Dickson's apparent internet issues in particular, Gobind quipped: "I thought you said the minister cannot come here to make any announcements which affect Port Dickson, because there is an election going on?"
He added: "The press must take a step back, listen and look at where we are coming from...we have always been united and always supportive of our friends in any elections.
"We are all here to campaign for our close friend Anwar. He is my good friend and I am not here to support him as a minister but as Gobind Singh Deo. I am also, of course, MP for Puchong."
Upon entering cabinet, Gobind said his ministry was committed to cheaper and faster internet, following the enforcement of the Mandatory Standard on Access Pricing (MSAP) in January this year.
Anwar had previously drawn flak for attending a military medal presentation ceremony in Port Dickson being officiated by Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu.
Mohamad told the army veterans at the ceremony that they stood to gain if the prospective MP for Port Dickson became the future prime minister.
Anwar later clarified that he was just a guest at the event, and refuted claims that he had abused government machinery for campaigning purposes.
Electoral watchdog Bersih disagreed, however, and said Mohamad's speech gave Anwar an unfair advantage.
Anwar's challenger, independent candidate Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, also took him to task for allegedly giving political speeches at mosques. - Mkini
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