By Diana Abd Wahab and Shamz Johan
SHAH ALAM, July 10 — Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional’s (BN) election machinery and its leadership have been reminded to avoid touching on issues related to race, religion, and royalty (3R) during the upcoming state election campaign next month.
Harapan communications director Fahmi Fadzil said no individual, regardless of their status, will be exempt from legal action under the Election Act if they fail to do so.
“If you touch on 3R issues, regardless of the language used, whether in a ceramah or on social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and so on, please be careful.
“This warning was issued by the Inspector-General of Police, so whether you are an ordinary citizen or a minister, be prepared to be investigated if you violate the 3R,” he said, in his capacity as the Minister of Communications and Digital.
Speaking at the inauguration of PKR’s election machinery and main operations room for the Batu Tiga state constituency yesterday night, Fahmi the Unity election machinery needs to forge a common front and become a defensive fortress against political slander.
Its political opponents, he said, are currently engaging in the vigorous spread of half-truths on social media.
“Yesterday, I received a message from a minister about a poster claiming the Federal government has made a decision to disallow contributors to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) from withdrawing their entire savings after reaching the age of 55, but only allowing monthly withdrawals instead.
“This is patently false; we have not made any decisions yet. The EPF is conducting a study because it has found many countries preserve these funds for retirement instead of allowing lump-sum withdrawals. So I urge the red and blue streams to become a defensive fortress against slander and half-truths,” Fahmi said.
To this, he reminded the election machinery to always be at the forefront in reminding the wider public of the efforts and initiatives undertaken by the government to restore the country, since assuming national governance eight months ago.
“I am confident that if we work tirelessly to deliver accurate information, unify our hearts, and strengthen our determination, InsyaAllah, on August 12, we will be able to form a Unity Government in Selangor,” Fahmi said.
Meanwhile, incumbent Kampung Tunku state assemblyman Lim Yi Wei urged candidates contesting in the state election to refrain from touching on religious and racial sensitivities during the campaigning period.
Rather, they ought to campaign in a clean and respectable manner, so as to gain the voters’ support.
“I also hope candidates from every party and coalition will campaign cleanly and respectfully, and avoid campaigning with the intention of confusing and dividing the public,” she said when contacted.
Lim also reminded Selangor voters to fulfil their responsibilities on August 12, by electing candidates with good track records.
The Election Commission (SPR) has set August 12 as the polling day for the state election in Selangor, Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, and Negeri Sembilan.
The nomination day for the six states has been set on July 29, while early voting will take place on August 8, with a two-week campaign period.
