Mahkota polls: Rice aid was distributed before Mahkota campaign started, says Ahmad Maslan

KLUANG: The rice aid under the Bantuan Kasih Johor initiative was distributed before the Mahkota by-election campaign started, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (pic).

The Umno supreme council member dismissed claims that the state government initiative is being used to woo voters in the Mahkota by-election.

"We did not distribute the rice during the by-election; it was done before nomination day. We can give whatever we want before nomination day, before the campaign period starts. The rice under Bantuan Kasih Johor had already been distributed, and there were never any plans to give it during the campaign period," he said.

He stated this at a press conference after attending the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration on Tuesday (Sept 17) night.

Also present were Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, MCA youth chief Ling Tian Soon, Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi, Mengkibol assemblyman Chew Chong Sin, and other local leaders.

Ahmad Maslan was responding to allegations made by Perkasa president Syed Hassan Syed Ali during a Perikatan Nasional ceramah.

Syed Hassan reportedly claimed that the unity government had delayed the distribution of the aid on purpose so that they could give it to the people during the Mahkota by-election.

The leader of the Malay right-wing group also reportedly claimed that the country would fall into the hands of China with the presence of Forest City.

"When did we ever give them citizenship? They are still not our citizens despite having properties in Forest City. That is slander," said Ahmad Maslan in response to the claims, adding that such allegations have been addressed in the past.

Ahmad Maslan also urged those contesting in the by-election to avoid spreading false information.