DAY 8 | It's day eight of campaigning for the six state elections.
News reports from the ground.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Did Rafizi find MACC chief, asks Bersatu leader
Bersih reprimands leaders for using state resources for campaigning
Penang PAS tells Lau to bring his own machinery
Harapan, BN compatible, unlike PN parties - Zahid
6.30pm: Sungai Dua, Penang - Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi pays a visit to Jeti Pengkalan Machang.
There are about 400 to 500 people welcoming him, including villagers and BN supporters.
Zahid, the BN chairperson, tells reporters that Pakatan Harapan and BN have a good level of compatibility (tahap keserasian yang baik).
“We have already formed a coalition government for eight months; this is a test for us in Penang,” he says.
Zahid adds that Gerakan president Dominic Lau’s recent snub by PAS gives the impression that there is no compatibility between Perikatan Nasional parties.
Bersatu leader asks Rafizi if he met MACC chief after GE15
5pm: Suka Menanti, Kedah - Former Bersatu information chief Wan Saiful Wan Jan has asked Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli to clarify the events that transpired after his data firm, Invoke Solutions Sdn Bhd, was raided by the MACC last year.
During his speech last night at Suka Menanti, Kedah, the Tasek Gelugor MP asked if Rafizi ever kept to his promise of “finding” MACC chief Azam Baki after the 15th general election (GE15).
“A few days before GE15’s polling day, he (Rafizi) came on stage to talk about Invoke’s office raids... He then said if Pakatan Harapan won the elections, he wanted to ‘find’ Azam.
“I am bringing this up now because Rafizi’s statement was intimidation against the authorities… Surely, he has already met Azam and I want to know, what did they discuss?” he asked.
Subsequently, the Bersatu leader highlighted that there had been no mentions or updates regarding the raids since GE15.
Wan Saiful then jokingly said that maybe, the two discussed Azam’s contract extension for his post at the anti-graft agency.
“Perhaps, he (Rafizi) said (to Azam) ‘Thank you for raiding my office’,” he added.
Last year, on Nov 15 and 16, Invoke’s office was raided twice. In the aftermath, Rafizi asserted that these raids constituted political persecution aimed to sway public sentiment against Harapan before polling day on Nov 19.
Rafizi also claimed the raids came after an NGO lodged a report against him over his assets declaration.
Stop using govt resources for campaigning - Bersih urges govt
3.20pm: Electoral watchdog Bersih reminds the government to refrain from using federal resources for campaigning and other election-related activities.
This comes after critics blasted Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for using a government-owned helicopter to attend an event at Felda Teloi Timur, Kedah today.
In a statement today, the group understands that using government resources can be beneficial for campaigning for pragmatic and security reasons.
However, it reminds the government that these advantages should not be abused to break the 3Cs principles (no campaigning, no conditions and no candidates).
As such, Bersih advises the prime minister and other ministers to disclose the costs of their travel expenses, reminding the government of Pakatan Harapan’s strong advocacy for transparency.
“...Politicians who have this advantage due to the trust given to them by the people must always be humble and not behave as if they personally purchased these vehicles with their own money.
“The use of government resources during this election season highlights the urgent need for the government to engage in discussions with the opposition to enact new legislation to regulate the use of resources by both caretaker and federal governments during the election period,” Bersih says.
PN lures N Sembilan youths with goodies in manifesto
2.30pm: Seremban, Negeri Sembilan - A RM300 subsidy for B2 motorcycle licenses (for those not exceeding 250cc) is among eight offers made by Perikatan Nasional (PN), should the coalition capture Negeri Sembilan in the Aug 12 state election.
This was announced by PN deputy chairperson Ahmad Faizal Azumu during the online manifesto unveiling today.
According to him, the subsidy will apply one-off to qualified youths, to spur the gig economy.
He says PN will also introduce a "rent to own" initiative, which provides housing at affordable rates for youths, including the newly married.
Also proposed were an annual RM1 million allocation to develop the e-sport industry, upgrades to religious schools and up to 20 percent subsidy on school bus fees.
‘Bring your own machinery, ours mobilised elsewhere’ - Lau told
11.20am: Bayan Lepas, Penang - Penang PAS commissioner Muhammad Fauzi Yusoff has urged Gerakan president Dominic Lau to bring his own machinery to campaign for the Bayan Lepas state seat.
"Lau has to bring his own machinery. Even we (PAS) lack machinery as they are already mobilised in places where we are contesting.
"So whoever's contesting, he has to bring his own machinery and lead it," Fauzi was quoted as telling Utusan Malaysia.
His comments come following the PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan's call to “assist and protect” Lau during the campaign period.
Fauzi said the state PAS representatives will meet the locals to explain the circumstances that led to the situation between the party, and its Perikatan Nasional (PN) ally Gerakan.
Asked about Takiyuddin's call to quell the dissatisfaction stemming from Lau being fielded in the Malay-majority constituency Bayan Lepas, Fauzi said the fact that no PAS members have gone independent to challenge the decision shows that there is no rebellion, to begin with.
8am: Rantau, Negeri Sembilan - The BN machinery is still chugging along in Rantau even in the absence of its candidate Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, who is resting after coming down with an influenza infection.
Also seen stumping for Mohamad is the MCA president Wee Ka Siong, who urges the local Chinese Malaysian community to support the BN candidate.
"The campaign is going smoothly even though Tok Mat is not able to meet, and voters are understanding of the situation. The campaign machinery is still moving as planned," a campaign worker, who declined to be named, tells Malaysiakini.
Mohamad announced on Thursday night that he was sick and was instructed to rest for three days, to avoid spreading the disease. - Mkini
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