Despite being called a stooge, Kamalanathan gives Ibrahim Ali a hug
By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider
SERENDAH, April 22 — Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Hulu Selangor by-election P. Kamalanathan hugged controversial Malay right-wing leader Datuk Ibrahim Ali tonight, despite attacks from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) about his alleged subservience to Umno.
Kamalanathan was seen hugging Ibrahim, known for his controversial stand in defending “Malay rights”, when the independent MP turned up at a campaign rally attended by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Ibrahim, who contested Election 2008 on a PAS ticket, is now backing Umno and has been on the stump for BN in the crucial Hulu Selangor by-election campaigning for Malay votes in the rural heartland of Selangor.
While his fiery rhetoric is a draw for conservative Malay voters, Ibrahim’s controversial rhetoric has been criticised by non-Malay leaders in BN and PR.
Kamalanathan has already drawn criticisms for bending down to kiss Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s hand during the campaign.
