Selangor MB slams opposition’s ‘manipulative’ KKB polls campaign

PKR vice-president Amirudin Shari says the opposition is desperate to ‘justify its political manoeuvres in 2020’.

HULU SELANGOR: Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari has slammed the opposition’s “manipulative” approach to campaigning in the lead up to the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.

He said Perikatan Nasional (PN), especially Bersatu, had been unfairly dismissive of various initiatives by the current federal and state governments, such as the efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty.

He also said the people’s situation had been worse under Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration.

“The price of goods – that’s their campaign theme, but they failed to reflect on prices during their term in office, or ensure there was enough food supply.

“If they did, PN wouldn’t be so quick to talk about the price of goods,” Amirudin said at a ceramah in Ampang Pecah.

The PKR vice-president also said the opposition’s strategy was nothing but a desperate attempt to “justify its political manoeuvres in 2020”.

The Sheraton Move in 2020 saw Bersatu leave PH to form a new government with PAS, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and a handful of PKR defectors, including Azmin Ali.

Meanwhile, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the by-election has given the unity government the opportunity to explain its initiatives to the people and not simply to warn them that the position of the Malay-Muslims was under threat.

Saifuddin, the home minister, said the position of Malay-Muslims in the country is already secure under the Federal Constitution.

“This campaign allows us to explain our policies, detail our plans, and convey to the people the benefits they are entitled to receive under the state government’s ongoing programmes.

“These election give voters the opportunity to select representatives to fill a vacancy that has arisen in the area so that the residents’ affairs can continue smoothly and without hinderances,” Saifuddin said.

The May 11 by-election is a four-cornered fight involving Pakatan Harapan candidate Pang Sock Tao, Khairul Azhari Saut from PN, Hafizah Zainuddin of Parti Rakyat Malaysia and independent candidate Nyau Ke Xin.

The state seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Lee Kee Hiong of DAP on March 21 from cancer.