Jihad at Bagan Pinang? It wasn’t Umno, says DPM

(Malaysian Mirror) – Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has denied telling Umno Youth members to gather at Bagan Pinang for a jihad or holy war against PAS Youth.

An SMS or mobile phone text message had spread like wildfire asking Umno Youth members throughout the country to come and defend Umno’s honour and reputation.

That definitely did not come from us, but it could be from the head of PAS Youth, Muhyiddin said.

“I deny having instructed Umno Youth members to confront members of PAS Youth. Clearly, this is PAS instigating its members to create disturbances in Bagan Pinang,” the DPM told reporters.

Commandos from Umno Youth

Bagan Pinang is the site of Malaysia’s ninth by-election since the 2008 national polls. The state seat fell vacant after Umno’s Azman Mohd Noor died.

Balloting will take place on Sunday, Oct 11 and Umno candidate Isa Abdul Samad is widely expected to thump PAS state commissioner Zulkefly Omar.

Campaigning has been intensifying since it officially kicked off last Saturday. It reached feverish pitch, with violence erupting, as party workers from both sides got into fist fights.

PAS election director Salahuddin Ayob had a day ago denounced ‘Umno bikers and thugs’ for attacking its staff with parangs and samurai swords while they were erecting campaign materials such as posters, flags and buntings.

“Umno Youth said they wanted to bring in members who have received commando-like training here, so it is clear that their intention is to provoke us,” said Salahuddin.