Opposition duo unfazed by past graft allegations

JOHOR BARU: With nominations for GE14 just a day away, two parliamentary candidates from the Opposition are taking past allegations of corruption against them in their stride.

Natrah Ismail, 67, who is PKR’s candidate for Sekijang, blamed the claim on an internal sabotage by disgruntled people within her Segamat PKR division.

“I will not let it distract me as I want to win the parliamentary seat. Even the police have not called me for investigation,” said the former teacher.

Last year, a Segamat PKR branch official lodged a police report against Natrah for criminal breach of trust involving party funds.

Natrah, who is the Segamat division chief, called on those trying to bring her down to instead channel their energy into ensuring victories for the party.

“I am banking on my many years as a teacher in Segamat to win votes. If I had any issues, the party would not have fielded me,” she said.

She is facing off against Umno’s Datuk Ayub Rahmat for the second time. In 2013, both of them contested the Kemelah state seat and she lost by 2,260 votes.

She will now bank on four Felda settlements – Redong, Kemlah, Pemanis and Medoi – to help deliver the votes for her.

Meanwhile, PAS candidate for Labis Datuk Sarchu Sawal, 69, who was charged with misappropriation totalling RM13mil in company funds in 2013, stressed that he had been acquitted of the charge against him.

The former director of Koperasi Permodalan Felda Malaysia Bhd claimed that he was framed.

“I was deemed unpopular for voicing my disapproval of some of the investments Felda was committing to, including the purchase of a hotel in London and other projects,” he said.

“I was acquitted on Nov 30, 2015 by the judge without my defence being called after just 25 prosecution witnesses although the deputy public prosecutor had called for 40 witnesses,” he said.

The first-time candidate believes that his experience in various leadership and administrative roles in the civil service will stand him in good stead as an MP.

“I know I have a tough battle with two other candidates (from DAP and MCA) but most of the Chinese voters are concentrated in the town area while the surrounding areas are Malay kampung.

“It is quite an even demographic and I am confident of my chances,” he said.