Opposition Have Run Out Of Issues, Using BN As Campaign Target
(Bernama) — Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the ploy by the opposition in using the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno as their target and "punching bag" in the campaigns for the Penanti state by-election had been expected as they had run out of issues.
He said the opposition were resorting to personal attacks, slanders and manipulation of facts concerning Umno and the BN in their campaigns because they could not come up with development plans for the people of Penanti.
He said the opposition, particularly Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), should take the opportunity to focus on the development agenda for the people of Penanti instead of criticising the government in their campaigns.
"As they have run out of issues, the BN which is not even contesting has been made the punching bag, but I receive feedback from the Umno division and state that their campaign was totally without focus," he told reporters after meeting with the Penang Umno Liaison Committee, here Monday.
Muhyiddin, who is also the Umno deputy president, said the opposition were telling the same old story on the Perak issue, transparency, economy and the BN's refusal to contest in Penanti in their campaigns but nothing about their plans for the constituency.
He said this when asked to comment on the criticisms hurled by the opposition at the BN and Umno in their series of campaigns to fish for votes although it was clear that the BN was not contesting in Penanti.
The by-election is being held following the resignation of incumbent Assemblyman for Penanti, Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin on April 16 to pursue further studies.
Earlier, Mohammad Fairus had also resigned as Deputy Chief Minister 1 and as State Executive Councillor.
In the by-election, the PKR candidate, Mansor Othman, will face three Independent candidates namely, former Penang Parti Keadilan Nasional (KeAdilan) Wanita head Aminah Abdullah, company manager Nai Khan Ari and motivational expert Kamarul Ramizu Idris.
