DAY 7 | It’s the seventh day of the 14-day campaigning period for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election before voters head to the polls on May 11.
We will report from time to time from the ground.
Thank you for following Malaysiakini’s live report
This concludes our live blog for the seventh day of the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election campaign.
Selangor MB calls Azmin failed minister
10.50pm: Batang Kali, Selangor - Selangor Menteri Besar criticises the opposition and accuses them of playing up issues without facts just to rile up the rakyat.
Speaking at a Mega Perpaduan event in Batang Kali, Amirudin also slams former economy minister Azmin Ali and calls him a person who lacks an understanding of economics.
“If you look at his narratives before and after nomination, they have changed. He likes to hop from one party to another, perhaps that’s why his narratives also change.
“First, he says there will be a change of government but how is that going to happen after the by-election?
“Now, his tune has changed because he is playing with sentiments,” Amirudin says.
Citing the inflation issue, Amirudin says the former Selangor MB claimed inflation has risen sharply but data shows that the inflation rate stands at 1.8 percent.
“Hello brother, listen. The inflation rate is at 1.8 percent but during your time, it was between three to four percent. How did you become an economy minister? Perhaps, that’s why you failed,” he says to over 500 attendees.
Govt holds Mega Ceramah in Batang Kali
9.40pm: Batang Kali, Selangor - The government’s Mega Perpaduan event is taking place in Batang Kali.
About 500 people showed up at the event, which started at 9pm.
Pakatan Harapan candidate Pang Sock Tao will announce the manifesto tonight.
Leaders who have arrived include DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun, DAP national organising secretary Steven Sim, and Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman.
Saravanan denies ‘slamming’ Anwar
8.16pm: MIC deputy president M Saravanan refutes a report by The Star earlier today which claimed he had criticised Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for sidelining his party and the MCA.
He claims his speech during a ceramah in Kuala Kubu Baharu on April 30 has been misconstrued.
“About 99 percent of the event attendees were Pakatan Harapan supporters. Plus, many of the coalition leaders including from the DAP attended the programme.
“Do you really believe I had criticised Anwar in front of them? I just joked about how MIC and MCA should be more livid (than others),” he tells Malaysiakini.
In the ceramah, the former minister addressed calls by certain quarters for voters to boycott the Kuala Kubu Baharu polls.
Saifuddin: Pay hike announcement unrelated to polls
5.56pm: Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail denies claims that the proposed pay rise for civil servants that was announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim last Wednesday, was a campaign tool for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.
Instead, the government had started the revision of the Public Service Remuneration System some time ago but the announcement was made in conjunction with the Labour Day celebration on May 1, he says.
“If looked at from the time frame of the announcement, their own question will be answered,” Bernama reports him as saying after attending Hari Raya celebrations at the Kuala Kubu Baharu Police Academy today.
He says this in response to Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal who was quoted as saying that the announcement of a pay hike for civil servants would not have any effect on voters in the by-election.
‘Don’t worry about coming out to vote, security assured’
4.45pm: The public need not worry about going out to fulfil their responsibilities as voters on May 11.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says police have taken appropriate measures to ensure public safety and order in the area.
"I was briefed by the Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain recently about the level of security and until today the campaign went smoothly without any untoward incident.
"We want this by-election to run smoothly without any intimidation and threats and the public also need not worry about going out to vote," Bernama reports him as saying at a press conference after attending the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration at the Royal Malaysian Police Academy today.
He also reminds all parties involved in the by-election to abide by the law while campaigning and not to do things that could threaten public safety and order.
Media stopped from asking Khairul about 'loan shark debt'
4.30 pm: Members of the media covering Perikatan Nasional candidate Khairul Azhari Saut have been stopped from asking questions regarding an allegation that he owed close to RM40,000 to loan sharks.
PN Youth information chief Khairul Nadzir Helmi Azhar, who is among those accompanying Khairul on a walkabout in Kerling, informs the press that there will not be any press conference.
However, reporters will be spared two to three minutes if they have any questions to ask the candidate, Khairul Nadzir said.
When a reporter mentions the alleged loan shark debt, Khairul Nadzir seems slightly displeased and asks why reporters wanted to ask about "personal matters" when similar standards are not applied to the Pakatan Harapan candidate.
Yesterday, Khairul declined to comment on online rumours claiming that he owed nearly RM40,000 to loan sharks, casting aspersion on his suitability as a candidate.
‘Is it sensitive to drink alcohol now?’ - PN candidate asked
4pm: Perikatan Nasional candidate Khairul Azhari Saut has a funny encounter during his walkabout at a Chinese new village in Kuala Kubu Baharu today.
The Bersatu leader, together with Gerakan president Dominic Lau and the PN machinery, arrive at the kopitiam in Kampung Air Panas in Kerling where they run into a table filled with men drinking alcohol.
At this juncture, one of the men jokingly asks: "YB, is it sensitive to drink now?"
To this, someone in the PN team chips in: "Only YB cannot (drink)."
Lau wades into the conversation by saying: "He can't drink, but I can. I'm just representing him to drink."
Khairul only smiles throughout the exchange and says, "Enjoy, enjoy", as he leaves the place to a neighbouring shop.
‘We’ll ensure MyPPP members vote Pang’
1pm: Rasa, Selangor - People’s Progressive Party (MyPPP) will mobilise its machinery to campaign for the coalition government candidate in Kuala Kubu Baharu.
The party’s Selangor chief M Surenthiran said they have set up an operations room in Rasa, Selangor.
“We have updated our database. There are 539 KKB voters, who are MyPPP members.
“We will ensure they will go to vote for the Harapan candidate (Pang Sock Tao) on May 11,” he told a press conference today.
MyPPP is a BN-friendly party led by former Federal Territories deputy minister J Loga Bala Mohan.
Candidate wants voters to ignore race, religion, vote PRM
10am: Rasa, Selangor - Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) candidate Hafizah Zainudin is the first candidate in the by-election to unveil her manifesto.
The manifesto, containing six pertinent points, was launched at the party’s operation centre in Jalan Ampang Pecah, in Rasa, Hulu Selangor, this morning.
Chief among the manifesto is advancing the socio-economic standard of the locals, Hafizah (above) says.
“Don’t ride on race or religion, just ride the bison (the party’s logo) for the rakyat’s sake,” she adds.
Harapan reaches out to Chinese voters in earnest
9.30am: Rasa, Selangor - A billboard has appeared in Kampung Chuang, Rasa bearing the Chinese idiom “投桃报李”, urging residents to vote for the Pakatan Harapan candidate Pang Sock Tao.
While the idiom (read “tou tao bao li”) implies reciprocity, it employs the clever use of Lee Kee Hiong’s surname and Pang Sock Tao’s name to appeal to voters, suggesting that to vote for Pang is to continue Lee’s legacy.
The billboard’s message in Malay “Undi Pang Teruskan Legasi Lee" translates to “Vote Pang to continue Lee’s legacy”.
Rasa has a Chinese majority. - Mkini
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