Perikatan win would signal acceptance of extreme views, says Tiong

KLUANG: Voting for Perikatan Nasional in the Mahkota by-election will signal that voters are fine with the opposition’s "extreme" views, says Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (pic).

The Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister warned that if voters make the wrong decision in the upcoming Sept 28 by-election, they might lose certain freedoms, including the ability to wear short skirts.

Speaking at a cultural night organised by a lion dance association, Tiong joked with a woman wearing a knee-length skirt, suggesting that such attire might become a thing of the past if the wrong candidate is elected.

"I told the person next to her to seize the opportunity to maintain that... otherwise, she might not have the chance to wear such attire in the future.

"Her short skirts could only be hung in her room if the wrong decision is made during the Mahkota by-election.

"Voters should put their words into action by heading out to vote for the right candidate to show the opponent that we do not accept their views," he said during his speech at Taman Sri Kluang on Tuesday night (Sept 24).

He emphasised that Malaysia's diversity and unity must be preserved and celebrated.

"Tell your friends and loved ones, especially those who are working and staying out of town, to come back to vote in Mahkota.

"If the opposition manages to narrow down the majority from the previous 5,000 votes, they will consider the by-election a victory," he said.

The Mahkota by-election was called after its assemblyman Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 63, passed away on Aug 2.

In the 2022 Johor election, she secured the state seat with a 5,166-vote majority, defeating candidates from Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan, and Warisan.

The by-election is a straight fight between Barisan’s Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah, 40, and Perikatan Nasional’s Mohamad Haizan Jaafar, 61.