ENGERANG: Everyone is welcome to help Barisan Nasional’s candidate, Mohd Azmawi Fikri, in the upcoming Nenggiri by-election in Kelantan, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Barisan chairman rubbished a letter claiming that the coalition forbade any of its district polling units from inviting four individuals, including Parti Keadilan Rakyat deputy president Rafizi Ramli, to speak at campaign rallies during the Nenggiri by-election.
“It is a fake letter. I welcome anyone that can help make our Barisan candidate win the Nenggiri by-election,” he added.
Zahid, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said this after attending the Rural and Regional Development Ministry’s retreat at the Desaru Convention Centre on Thursday (July 25).
Meanwhile, Zahid also defended Barisan’s decision to make an early announcement by naming Kelantan Umno Youth chief Mohd Azmawi Fikri as their candidate in the Nenggiri by-election.
The Umno president said introducing their candidate early allowed Mohd Azmawi Fikri to get a head start and meet with voters in Nenggiri.
He also said that he had already discussed the approach and measures that should be taken during the campaign period with Umno Gua Musang division chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.
“There are 20 district polling centres in the Nenggiri by-election, including five within Orang Asli villages and nine in traditional villages.
“To reach these locations will be difficult, but if we already did our work early, then it would be easier for us to go to other places during campaigning,” he added.
Earlier, Bernama reported that Barisan denied issuing a statement forbidding any of its district polling units from inviting four individuals, including Rafizi, to speak at campaign rallies during the Nenggiri by-election in Kelantan.
In a Facebook post on Thursday (July 25), Barisan said such false claims were mere political manoeuvres intended to divide the current government.
Barisan emphasised that all official press statements will be published only on the official Barisan Nasional Facebook page.
"We hope that people would not be deceived by such political tactics every time an election approaches. We urge all parties to remain responsible and not spread such fake news," the statement read.
The fake statement, purportedly from Ahmad Zahid, listed four individuals as being banned from appearing at the Nenggiri by-election campaign due to their defeat during the Sungai Bakap by-election.
The three other individuals named were Umno supreme council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam, Jeli Umno Youth information chief Wan Mahussin Wan Zain, and an influencer known as Wan Hadi.
The Election Commission has scheduled the by-election’s nomination day and early polling on Aug 3 and Aug 13, respectively, with Aug 17 as polling day.
