DAY 4 | Jais: Don't use mosques, surau for political propaganda

DAY 4 | It’s the fourth day of the 14-day campaigning period for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election before voters head to the polls on May 11.

Malaysiakini reports live from the ground.

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This concludes our live blog for the fourth day of the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election campaign.

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I respect MCA for sitting out KKB polls - Noh Omar

10.40pm: Kuala Kubu Baharu, Selangor - Former Selangor Umno chairperson Noh Omar praises MCA for not contesting in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election after several DAP leaders criticised the party.

He says Umno should learn from MCA how to uphold the party’s dignity.

“I respect MCA for not participating in the by-election after being criticised by DAP.

“But Umno lacks dignity. It is ready to cooperate with DAP even though it has been insulted by DAP before. Umno needs to learn from MCA.

“I urge the Umno grassroots in KKB to come together with me and make Perikatan Nasional their new home to protect the rights of Malays and Islam,” he says at a ceramah at Jalan Pahang, Kuala Kubu Baharu.

Muhyiddin Yassin attends open house

9.00pm: Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor - Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin attends an open house organised by Masjid Jamek Ar Rahimah in Kuala Kubu Bharu.

Some 1,000 people are at the event, which is also attended by PN candidate Khairul Azhari Saut, Selangor PN chairperson Mohamed Azmin Ali, dan MIPP president P Punithan.

It is understood that there will be no speeches or distribution of political paraphernalia. Those present are also not allowed to wear clothes with political logos.

Azalina tells Pang to focus on local issues

6.30pm: Kuala Kubu Baharu, Selangor - Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Legal and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said meets with Pakatan Harapan candidate Pang Sock Tao in Kuala Kubu Baharu.

Azalina discloses that during their meeting, she gave Pang some advice, such as emphasising the importance of focusing on local issues as a state assemblyperson and not disappearing after being elected.

“I gave her advice. I said if we want to be state assemblypersons, we need to focus on local issues. We shouldn’t fool the people. We shouldn’t sell ourselves, but after winning, we’re nowhere to be found in the area and we don’t fulfil our promises.”

When asked if the candidate’s age might be a hindrance, she says, “I never really look at age, if someone can vote at 18, there are people who are 18 and already married, so it should be fine.”

She believes that strong party support is more important.

MIC targets 3k Indian votes for Harapan

4.50pm: Antara Gapi, Selangor - MIC deputy president M Saravanan is targeting to pull 3,000 votes for the Pakatan Harapan candidate in this by-election.

“I admit that the Indian community is not satisfied with the government.

“There are more than 7,500 Indian voters here. MIC’s target is 3,000 votes. As such, Indian leaders from PKR and DAP will help canvass for votes,” Saravanan tells the media in Antara Gapi, Hulu Selangor.

The party previously said it would stay out of the by-election but agreed to participate in the campaign after meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Keep politics out of mosques, surau - Jais

4.30pm: The Selangor Islamic Development Department has warned relevant parties not to use mosques or surau in Kuala Kubu Baharu to “spread politics or party propaganda”. 

The warning was directed to “all civil servants under Jais, including mosque and surau officials, teachers, and marriage assistant registrars” who are urged to maintain professionalism. 

“Jais would like to remind all that this is enforceable as per the Selangor sultan’s decree and the Selangor Islamic Affairs Council’s decision,” it says in a statement. 

A breach also goes against Selangor syariah enactments which govern conduct in mosques, it says.

“Mosque officials, surau administrators, and head teachers are responsible for the premises under their purview and must perform their duties honestly without being influenced by political party sentiments.”

PN leader urges constituents to vote for local candidate

4pm: Perikatan Nasional Youth’s election machinery director for this by-election, Muhammad Hilman Idham, says only a local candidate can fully understand the needs of young voters there. 

This includes cost of living issues and rising prices of goods and services which he says “is caused by the state government’s failure and the failure of the elected representative who was not cognisant of the needs of the local community”. 

As such, he says, young voters should “ride the strong tide of change” and send a PN candidate to the state assembly to ensure the voices of Kuala Kubu Baharu constituents will be heard again.

‘State stance on vernacular schools’

1pm: Seputeh MP Teresa Kok has urged Perikatan Nasional candidate Khairul Azhari Saut to state whether he agrees with “weaponising” vernacular education in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.

In a statement, Kok referred to PAS’ Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari challenging Pakatan Harapan candidate Pang Sock Tao to reveal her school background, after which the latter responded by sharing her straight-A SPM and UPSR results.

According to Kok, Fadhli’s “half-hearted apology” following Pang’s reveal was also aimed to subtly encourage the public to exploit the issue of vernacular schools for political gain during the election campaign.

“As a two-term MP, I expect Fadhli, a federal lawmaker, to engage with Pang’s manifesto, her stance on social justice, anti-corruption measures, and her plans for the development of Kuala Kubu Baharu, instead of fixating on her educational background.

“It begs the question whether Fadhli himself completed his SPM examinations or not, as his focus seems to be on divisive tactics rather than substantive issues,” Kok said, then urging Khairul to state whether he agrees with Fadhli’s divisive stance on vernacular schools, in return for votes.

PAS wants probe into S’gor govt open house

12.20pm: Selangor PAS commissioner Halim Tamuri has urged the MACC and the Election Commission (EC) to probe whether the Selangor government has violated the law by organising a Hari Raya open house in Kuala Kubu Baharu.

“I urge them (MACC and EC) to check whether it (holding an open house) is allowed in an area where an election is to be held, and the extent of the government resources used (for the event).

“These are the matters that should be looked into and probed,” Harakahdaily quoted Halim as saying.

Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari recently denied electoral watchdog Bersih’s claim that his administration committed election offences by holding a Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Kuala Kubu Baharu yesterday.

Amirudin assured there were no elements of campaigning during the event.

Don’t politicise my education, says Pang

9am: Pakatan Harapan candidate Pang Sock Tao does not wish to prolong the debate over her vernacular education background.

“My academic achievements are the result of my parents’ hard work in providing me with the best education. I believe all parents want the best for their children.

“Therefore, as a representative of the people, this matter should not be politicised, and we must respect parents’ decisions regarding the most suitable and best education for their children,” she said as quoted by Bernama.

The 31-year-old spoke after a meet and greet session with the Orang Asli community of Kampung Tun Razak, last night.

Yesterday, Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari from PAS challenged Pang to reveal her school background, after which the latter responded by sharing her straight-A SPM and UPSR results.

Harapan candidate to unveil manifesto on Friday

8.20am: Pakatan Harapan candidate Pang Sock Tao will announce the coalition’s Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) election manifesto this Friday (May 3).

According to the 31-year-old, the document was meticulously crafted to offer comprehensive proposals to develop the community, including the Orang Asli.

“On Friday, I will provide the details... the relevant issues are what we offer and our plans for the residents of KKB,” Bernama quoted Pang saying during a meet and greet session with the Orang Asli community of Kampung Tun Razak, last night.

Should she be given the mandate on May 11, Pang also pledged to reside in KKB and address the people’s issues.