BATU PAHAT: Pakatan Harapan communications director Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has maintained that the coalition's 'Johor for All' manifesto for the Johor state election was launched at the right time after its contents had been finalised and endorsed by the coalition's top leadership.
Fahmi, who is also Communications Minister, said former Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming's view that the delayed launch of the manifesto could weaken Pakatan's campaign machinery was far removed from reality.
"For Pakatan, we chose to launch it only after we were satisfied that the manifesto's content was comprehensive and had received the approval of the coalition's top leadership, including the Prime Minister.
"I believe the manifesto was launched at the right time, on Friday, which marked the start of the second week of campaigning. After introducing our candidates, both sides are now presenting their respective manifestos. I think the timing was appropriate. It is not an issue," he told reporters after a meet-the-people programme at Kampung Istana here on Saturday (July 4).
Fahmi was commenting on Ong's prediction that Barisan Nasional would record a landslide victory in the Johor election, claiming Pakatan was on the back foot due to the lack of a strong campaign narrative, its failure to name a mentri besar candidate, the absence of senior leaders contesting and the delayed launch of the coalition's manifesto.
Also present at the event were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Abdul Halim Hamzah and Pakatan candidate for the Penggaram state seat, Felicia Poh Rui Ling.
Commenting on former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin's claim that the Pakatan manifesto was merely a "copy and paste" version of the Barisan manifesto, Fahmi said Khairy appeared to be campaigning more actively than Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
"I see Khairy Jamaluddin campaigning more vigorously than Onn Hafiz. Perhaps Khairy Jamaluddin is even ready to debate Maszlee Malik (Pakatan candidate for the Puteri Wangsa state seat).
"It would be good if Onn Hafiz had Khairy Jamaluddin's capability and stature. Perhaps Khairy Jamaluddin's spirit should be 'copied and pasted' to Onn Hafiz," he said.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said he was confident that issues involving DAP, including allegations circulating on social media regarding a party leader's support for the pardon of a former prime minister, would not affect Pakatan's campaign momentum.
He said his confidence was based on the strong grassroots response and support at every Pakatan event he had attended throughout the campaign period.
"If we look at the turnout at Pakatan events, including those I attended over the past few days, the response and grassroots support have been very strong and solid.
"The Pakatan candidate for the Bentayan state seat (Ng Yak Howe) is also from DAP. I believe statements such as those made by Marina have had no impact," he said.
Previously, former Skudai assemblyman Marina Ibrahim said in a social media post that she had retired from politics after becoming disillusioned with what she described as the "charade" of DAP leaders over the issue of a pardon for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The 16th Johor election will see 172 candidates contesting 56 state seats, with polling set for July 11 and early voting on July 7.- Bernama
