JOHOR BARU: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has urged Barisan Nasional candidates to conduct a clean and respectful campaign for the 16th Johor state election.
The Investment, Trade and Industry Minister said the focus for Barisan candidates and its machinery should be on winning voters through service rather than personal attacks.
He added that election campaigns should be used to convince voters that Barisan candidates are capable of serving the people.
“The objective of any election is to present Barisan’s vision and commitment to the electorate, not to criticise or insult political opponents.
“We want to sell our service to the people, not condemn others. That is the message I want to convey to all candidates, especially those contesting in Tiram,” he said.
Johari said this to pressmen after accompanying Barisan’s Tiram candidate Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman to the nomination centre at Dewan Raya Taman Pelangi Indah on Saturday (June 27).
He added that the Tiram state seat would see a four-cornered contest involving Barisan, Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional and Bersama.
Johari said every party should strive to win the hearts of voters through healthy competition, describing it as part of the new political culture that Malaysia should embrace.
He also welcomed the smooth nomination process, saying reports from nomination centres indicated that proceedings had been orderly without untoward incidents, reflecting the growing political maturity among parties and supporters.
Johari said the peaceful nomination process demonstrated that despite political differences, all parties understood the importance of safeguarding national stability and security, while projecting Malaysia as a mature democracy capable of conducting orderly elections that inspire confidence among both its citizens and the international community.
