Umno leader dares Bersih to review court ruling on allocations pledges

SG BAKAP BY-ELECTION | Umno supreme council member Ahmad Maslan has challenged Bersih to review court rulings following the latter’s criticism of the former’s allocation announcements.

"I challenge Bersih to review the court decision, bring it back to court, and challenge it. Then there would be no further announcements.

"I have been following by-elections for a long time and have attended almost all since 1990, except one in Batang Ai, Sarawak.

“There have been many cases like this since 1990. I know the history, especially the precedent set during Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah's time regarding road project announcements during by-elections.

"...because the court had ruled previously that the government has the right to announce anything, at any time, and to anyone it deems appropriate, regardless of whether it is during a by-election or not," he said, adding he was surprised by the NGOs criticism.

Ahmad (above) said this after attending the Ceramah Perpaduan programme at the Sungai Duri Night Market last night.

Also present were Amanah president Mohamad Sabu, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Pakatan Harapan candidate for the Sungai Bakap by-election Joohari Ariffin.

Recently, Bersih questioned remarks from Ahmad, who is also the deputy works minister, about ministers or ministries organising programmes or announcing allocations during by-elections.

Ahmad stated that the issue of organising programmes and announcing allocations had previously been brought to court, but the decision was not in favour of those who contested it.

Don’t fall for opposition’s ploy

Earlier during the ceramah programme, Mohamad, who is also the agriculture and food security minister, urged Malay voters not to be swayed by racial sentiments propagated by the opposition during the Sungai Bakap by-election campaign.

He said such sentiments, including claims that “Malaysia will supposedly be taken over by the Chinese community”, were deliberately played up by the opposition to garner voter support.

Amanah president Mohamad Sabu

"Do not believe without looking at the reality. For over a year, this government has been in power, the rights of Malays have not been compromised, and we are working to uplift them," he said.

The Sungai Bakap by-election on July 6 will see a one-on-one contest between Joohari and Perikatan Nasional candidate Abidin Ismail.

The seat fell vacant following the death of its incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.

- Bernama