PD polls: No political campaigns allowed in army camps, says Defence chief

PORT DICKSON: With early polling for the Port Dickson by-election on Tuesday (Oct 9), the chief of the Defence Forces says no political campaigns are allowed in army camps or any of its premises.

Jen Tan Sri Zulkifli Zainal Abidin (pic) said armed forces personnel should always remain apolitical and not take sides with any political party.

"Armed forces personnel must be apolitical and not support or be involved in the struggles of any political party.

"Similarly, no political campaigns are allowed in army camps or any of its premises," he said in a statement on Monday (Oct 8).

Jen Zulkifli said these directives were not only applicable for the Port Dickson by-election but it applied to all elections.

The Election Commission chairman Azhar Harun had, on Sunday (Oct 7) called on the Defence Ministry to give candidates equal access to army camps.

This came about following complaints that Pakatan Harapan candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had attended functions in the army camp here and the presence of several ministers in the constituency.

Azhar said the permission to enter army camps came under the purview of the military and the Defence Ministry.

“It contradicts the principle and spirit of democracy and free and fair campaigning activities.

“The EC would like to suggest that army camps or even the ministry give equal opportunities to all candidates, subject to security procedures,” he said in a statement.

The Port Dickson by-election on Oct 13 will see a seven-cornered fight between Pakatan Harapan’s Anwar Ibrahim, PAS candidate Lt Col (Rtd) Mohd Nazari Mokhtar and five independent candidates including former Negri Sembilan mentri besar Tan Sri Isa Abdul Samad.

The by-election is called after its incumbent Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, 68, vacated the seat on Sept 12 to give way for Anwar's return to the Dewan Rakyat.