JOHOR BARU: Seven police reports related to the Johor election have been lodged in the two days since nomination day, says Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad.
He said the reports were received on nomination day on Saturday and Sunday.
“Three investigation papers have been opened for the offence of fire and explosives, and for committing mischief and sedition,” he said.
He also said 420 permit applications for campaign activities were received, of which 414 were approved.
On Sunday, Pakatan Harapan’s Tanjung Surat candidate Faizul Abdul Ghani said his coalition’s flag was burnt.
“One of the flags put up along the road heading to Felda Adela in Kota Tinggi was found with burn marks at around 2am on Sunday.
“Differences in political views should not be translated into provocation, sabotage or actions that hurt democracy. This is not mature behaviour,” Faizul said, adding that he has lodged a police report and informed the Election Commission.
Pakatan’s Mengkibol candidate Chu Poh Yee said she also lodged a police report after her posters and flags that were put up along Jalan Sekolah in Kluang were found discarded in the drain.
“My team followed the rules and planted the campaign materials at the designated areas.
“The act is unacceptable behaviour,” she said.
Tan Hiang Kee, who is Barisan Nasional’s candidate for the Skudai seat, called on all candidates and their supporters to run a fair and clean campaign.
“Sadly, we always see these kinds of incidents happen during the campaigning period.
“We should compete with quality and character, not through sabotage and resorting to dirty tricks. This is not part of our culture,” said the Johor MCA publicity chief.
Meanwhile, Muda president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz condemned the culture of heckling and hurling personal insults at rival candidates, calling it childish.
“When I made stops at the different nomination centres to cheer for Muda candidates, I could hear insults and mocking remarks hurled from supporters of opposing parties.
“Such behaviour is out of touch with the leadership standards expected by Bangsa Johor. Some of the taunts were so petty that I felt embarrassed about it,” she said.
“When we sang patriotic songs, they shouted that this isn’t a football match, and when we chanted slogans like ‘Bebas rasuah’ (Rid corruption) and ‘Tolak penindasan’ (Reject oppression), the other side made mimicking sounds,” she added.
Amira Aisya also said women are usually targeted when it comes to gender-based remarks.
She claimed several women candidates including Muda’s Puteri Wangsa candidate Rashifa Aljunied as well as Pakatan candidates Rozy Razit (Buloh Kasap) and Sharon Teo (Permas) have been subjected to derogatory gender-based comments on social media.
“I saw netizens commenting on their looks and telling them to ‘go home and cook’. As a female political leader, I strongly reject these kinds of remarks.
“What determines whether we are capable leaders is our quality, personality and values, not our gender, race or religion. Those throwing such remarks should reflect on themselves,” she said.
