KLUANG: Bersatu member Badrul Hisham Shaharin, otherwise known as Chegubard, claims that Barisan Nasional’s Mahkota by-election candidate was previously arrested for hitting someone – an allegation described by Umno Youth as "a desperate move".
Badrul claimed to have obtained police reports indicating that Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah had been involved in a fight that resulted in injuries.
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“Is the Barisan candidate the one involved in the cases?
“I would also like to ask Kluang police about the status of the case without manipulation to protect him (Syed Hussien).
“Was he released because he is from the governing party or because he is a rich man’s son?” he said in a statement on Thursday (Sept 26).
Badrul, who is also a Bersatu information committee member, said the candidate's eligibility to be an elected representative if he has a criminal record should be explained to voters.
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Syed Hussein is in a straight fight with Perikatan’s Mohamad Haizan Jaafar for the state seat, with polling set for Saturday (Sept 28).
Kluang OCPD Asst Comm Bahrin Mohd Noh said an official statement will be issued on the matter soon.
When asked for comment, Johor Umno Youth chief Noor Azleen Ambros said Badrul's claim was made in desperation.
He said Barisan headquarters had done thorough vetting and a background check before nominating Syed Hussien.
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“The vetting is tight and across multiple agencies. If any red flag was found, (the candidate) would not get nominated,” he told The Star.
“We had a pool of potential candidates and if Syed Hussein was not eligible in the first place, we had other names to choose.
“I assure Mahkota voters that they can continue to support the Barisan candidate without worrying about his abilities and capabilities to serve as an effective assemblyman,” said Noor Azleen.
