SEREMBAN: The Negri Sembilan state election is a democratic contest over the state's future, not a stage for playing up racial or religious sentiment, dragging in the royal institution or spreading slander to win votes, says Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.
The government spokesman said parties should be competing on policy, track record and solutions to the people's problems.
“Unfortunately, we still see attempts to play up racial sentiment and spread lies to divert attention from the real issue, which is the cost of living.
"When a party runs out of ideas, it is willing to sell hate and division. When a party is confident of its record and its offer, it makes that offer based on facts and achievements," he told a press conference at a hotel here on Sunday (July 26).
Voters, he said, wanted answers on how more high-paying jobs would be created, how young people could own their own homes, how the cost of living would be eased and how economic growth could reach everyone.
"Incitement does not bring in new investments," he said, adding that Pakatan Harapan was choosing to offer hope rather than hate.
Fahmi called on all parties to respect election laws and keep the remainder of the campaign mature and fact-based.
"Negri Sembilan is a peaceful state. Do not damage its unity for the sake of narrow political interests.
"On Aug 1, the people will make a big choice — between politics that unites and politics that divides us, between facts and slander, between leadership that works and politics that manufactures hate," he said.
Asked whether the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission had summoned Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor over his recent remarks on race, Fahmi, who is Communications Minister, said he had yet to receive the latest information from the commission and would check.
Most recently, Sanusi, who is Perikatan election director, alleged during a ceramah that Tanah Melayu was the "homeland" for the Malays, unlike other ethnic groups.
On whether new laws were needed to deal with hate speech on the campaign trail, he said existing laws were adequate, pointing to the 2023 state polls when Muhammad Sanusi's statements landed him in court.
"We should all be mature enough to understand how to avoid setting off these issues. More importantly, we should not use such issues to fish for votes,” he said.
He also added that the National Day is approaching on Aug 31 and Malaysia Day on Sept 16.
"This is the moment for state administrators, elected representatives and everyone hoping to become one to go out and foster unity, not divide the people," he said.
Urging voters to reject racial politics at the ballot box, Fahmi said Malaysians of many ethnicities had long been rooted in the country, and noted the strong response from several parties against the individual involved.
"Choose the party that nurtures unity, not those who want to break us apart," he said.
Fahmi also said rapper Caprice, who has been seen on the campaign trail, had no official link to Pakatan Harapan.
"No, there is no connection," he said.
Pakatan is contesting all 36 seats and Negri Sembilan will go to the polls on Aug 1.
