Shamsul recites 'death reminder', tells voters to take bribes from others but vote Harapan

 

JOHOR POLLS | PKR leader Shamsul Iskandar Akin made a campaign video which played on an Islamic ritual called the talkin, which is a recitation reminding the recently deceased upon their burial to remember their faith.

Dressed in a jubah and kopiah in sombre lighting, with an echo filter to make his voice sound otherworldly, Shamsul told voters in Johor not to be afraid when approached by BN, Perikatan Nasional, and Parti Bersama Malaysia as they too are just God's creatures.

He also encouraged them to take bribes, as long as they refused to vote for the other two coalitions.

"When you are given RM100, ask for RM500. When you are given coffee and tea, ask for Milo, milk, and rice enough for a month.

"But when they ask you to vote for them, answer clearly, 'we will still vote for Harapan'," he said in the video posted last night.

Former PAS spiritual leader - the late Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat - had made similar remarks in the past, telling voters to take whatever is given to them, but to vote PAS.

However, Nik Aziz did not encourage asking for kickbacks or more than what was being given.

In an actual talkin, the deceased are told at their gravesite not to be afraid when approached by angels who will ask them about their faith and religious obligations, and to answer clearly their belief in Allah, the Prophet Muhammad, and what they have been commanded to do.

It also acts as a reminder to the living to continue practising their faith.

In poor taste

Shamsul's talkin was poorly received on social media, with fellow PKR leader Syed Ahmad Syed Abdul Rahman Alhadad, better known as Altimet, urging him to delete the post.

Other social media users also mocked the former aide to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, reminding him of his corruption case, which is pending in court.

Last December, Shamsul claimed trial in a Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to four charges of taking RM176,830 in bribes from businessperson Albert Tei.

He is accused of taking kickbacks in his capacity as Anwar's political secretary at the time, to help Tei's companies obtain mineral mining licences in Sabah.

Tei was also charged with offering the bribes.

Shamsul Iskandar Akin and Albert Tei

Prior to his talkin stunt, another video of Shamsul smoking a cigar at what appeared to be a roadside stall in Johor has also been making the rounds on social media, with some questioning whether this was an offence under the government's smoking ban at eateries.

Besides kickbacks, Tei has also alleged that he spent thousands of ringgit on premium cigars and tailored suits for Shamsul.

Following the corruption allegations and charges, Shamsul was removed as Anwar's political secretary and from his PKR posts. However, he remains active in the party and is often spotted at party and Harapan events. - Mkini