Dirty tricks? PH candidate’s billboards allegedly vandalised

 

THE political heat is rising and mud slinging between candidates is no longer enough.

It appears things are about to get even dirtier as reported by PH candidate Pasir Raja, Fakharuddin Moslim, where billboards with his figure were vandalised.

“It seems that some people are not happy with our campaign to the point that even the billboard has become a target. It’s okay. The billboard can be replaced, but our passion to serve the people of Pasir Raja will never fade,” he stated in a post on Facebook, adding that a police report will be filed. 

The post also contained several photos documenting the vandalism.

Rocks were thrown through a billboard, and with another, the bottom was torn apart.

Sadly, however, a good number of netizens claimed that the vandalism was in fact, committed by PH.

“They stage the incident themselves, file the report themselves, make it go viral themselves, and then apologize. It’s an easy way to incite voters,” said netizen Angah Bersantai Kita.

Another netizen said they should make it more believable by placing a CCTV there and hiring a person who wore the opposing party’s shirt.

Several others pointed out the recent scenario where PH Pengerang division claimed that the PH flag was burned in front of the road entering Gugusan FELDA Adela.

The division has since apologised for the accusation, saying that the flag was indeed damaged before it was installed.

But more is coming. News portal The Malaysia Gazette reported that 10 PH flags for the N28 Mengkibol state seat and three placards featuring the PH candidate were found damaged and discarded in drains along Jalan Chong Hwa and Jalan Aman in Taman Aman, Kluang.

Whether the vandalism was the work of political saboteurs or simply an isolated act remains for the police to determine.

Until then, accusations from either side remain just that, accusations. One thing, however, is becoming increasingly clear.

As Johor heads into one of its most closely watched state elections in recent years, the contest is no longer being fought solely through manifestos, ceramahs or social media campaigns.

When campaign materials become targets and every incident is instantly politicised, the real casualty may not be a torn billboard or a damaged flag, but public trust itself.

With polling day just days away, candidates would do well to let their ideas, rather than acts of provocation or speculation, compete for voters’ attention.

After all, elections are meant to be decided at the ballot box, not on broken billboards. — Focus Malaysia