KKB by-election: ‘Remarks may cost PN support of voters’

A Pas leader’s action of questioning the academic background of the unity government by-election candidate Pang Sock Tao may have cost some votes for the opposition.

(NST) – Analysts said such an act may not only affect votes from the Chinese electorate, but also from the Malay voters in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.

A political analyst said remarks made by Pas information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari who wanted to “prolong” the issue of Pang coming from the vernacular schools system would aggravate the situation for Perikatan Nasional.

Associate Professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi of Universiti Malaya said Fadhli’s statement would push away Chinese voters from supporting the opposition in the May 11 by-election.

“Instead of highlighting important matters, the Pas leader chose to raise issues that were too personal in his attempt to discredit the opposition’s candidate.

Political analyst Dr Ainul Adzellie Hasnul said Fadhli’s remarks had not only backfired on Pas but also on PN in the campaigning. The fact that Pang scored straight As in her Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) and Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations, said Ainul, did not paint a good picture of Pas and PN.

He also described the issue raised by Fadli as petty.

“Pas wanted to assist Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) in the by-election but failed to do so after Pang silenced her critics with her excellent examination results.

“Instead of engaging in personal attacks, all candidates contesting this by-election should share with the Kuala Kubu Baharu constituents their vision and plans to improve the livelihood of the people and solution to their predicament during this campaign period.”

Fadhli, in a Facebook post on Sunday, challenged Pang to reveal her primary and secondary education status.

The Pas leader raised the question after critics disputed the academic qualifications of PN candidate for the by-election, Khairul Azhari Saut of Bersatu.

Pang took up the challenge when she shared her UPSR and SPM results on Facebook.

Fadhli later apologised but added that the issue had disclosed that Pang was from the vernacular school system.

The issue, however, triggered rumours of Pas being asked to sit out from campaining for PN in the by-election. However, Selangor PN chairman Datuk Seri Azmin Alidismissed such rumours.

“Our political opponents are worried about the strength of PN machinery. We are here as PN and we are here to stay. We will continue to work hard to reach out to all the voters and share our policies and programmes.”

Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said there were “no incidents” arising from the statement made by Fadhli.

“I hope the people will refer to the party’s official channels and not be influenced by polemics spread by cybertroopers. Pas leaders are going down to the ground as a team during the by-election. A win for Bersatu candidate is also a win to all the people in Kuala Kubu Baharu.”