SUNGAI BULOH, April 28 — Voters are urged to not be swayed by slander tactics spread by Opposition parties seeking support and votes in the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election.
Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Deputy Minister Datuk R. Ramanan, who is also PKR Deputy Information Chief 1, said voters ought to be cautious and always check the facts when listening to political campaigns conducted by Opposition parties.
Ramanan, who is also the Sungai Buloh MP, said that during the campaign period, irresponsible parties may engage in unhealthy campaign methods, including using social media platforms to spread slander.
“It is crucial for all Kuala Kubu Baharu voters to be careful and listen to accurate information, as there are various pieces of information (from the Opposition) during the campaign, most of which contain slander.
“Some people might even repost old videos to engage in dirty campaigning. We want a clean campaign, and people need to rely on credible news sources,” he said.
Ramanan was speaking to the press during a Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house organised in collaboration with Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) at the Sungai Buloh Parliamentary Service Centre today.
The by-election, which began yesterday with the nomination process, sees a four-cornered fight among candidates from Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional (PN), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM, and an Independent candidate.
Pang Sock Tao, 31, is contending on the Harapan ticket, and faces off against Hulu Selangor Bersatu acting division head Khairul Azhari Saut on the PN ticket, Hafizah Zainuddin on the PRM ticket, and Independent candidate Nyau Ke Xin.
The Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election is being held due to the demise of its incumbent Lee Kee Hiong, 58, from Harapan on March 21 due to cancer.
Early voting is on May 7, and polling is on May 11.
Regarding the open house, Ramanan said it serves as an opportunity to connect with people in the Parliamentary constituency while promoting harmony among different ethnic groups during the Aidilfitri celebrations.
The event, which runs from noon to evening, attracted over 4,000 visitors and featured performances by local artists.
He also used the occasion to distribute contributions to 200 funeral management workers in the Sungai Buloh constituency, including gravediggers, hearse drivers, and caretakers of mosques and surau.
— Bernama
