Minister orders probe to check if signboards 'internal sabotage'

CAMERON POLLS | Minister in the Prime Minister's Department P Waythamoorthy has ordered an investigation into the signboards regarding government projects that were erected in three Orang Asli villages in Cameron Highlands yesterday, on the eve of the by-election.

“We will need to investigate whether it is internal sabotage or work of external parties to portray a negative picture of the Pakatan Harapan government.

“There is strict instruction not to practise BN-style campaign using government organs to induce the public or possibly commit an offence under the Election Offences Act 1954,” he added in a statement this afternoon.

Waythamoorthy is also the minister in charge of the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa).

Yesterday, Jakoa director-general Ajis Sitin said the project contractors have been instructed to remove the signboards in Bertam Valley.

"Jakoa wishes to clarify that the signboards were an unintended mistake.

"Jakoa would like to take this opportunity to apologise over the incident and we would ensure that it does not happen again,” he added.

Prior to that, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng told Malaysiakini that it was wrong for the contractors to put up the signboards.

Lim said he had advised the relevant authorities to remove them, and thanked "eagle-eyed" Malaysiakini for highlighting the matter.

The signboards contained the words "Harapan Baru Malaysia" with the word "Harapan" fashioned after Pakatan Harapan's logo.

The government projects were for refurbishing houses and a kindergarten. - Mkini