SEREMBAN: At least five police reports have been lodged over remarks made by Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki during the Negri Sembilan state election campaign, says a lawyer with Pakatan Harapan's election department.
Khairul Naim Rafidi said the reports were lodged separately by individuals and civil society groups in Rembau, Shah Alam, Wangsa Maju and Temerloh, with copies sent to the coalition's legal team since Sunday (July 26).
"When members of the public from various locations lodge separate police reports, it shows this issue does not stop at political debate alone," he told a press conference at a hotel here on Monday (July 27).
He said the legal team saw two questions warranting investigation: whether the remarks misled the public on how the mentri besar is appointed under Article 36 of the state constitution; and whether they carried implications under Section 4A of the Election Offences Act 1954, which deals with promoting feelings of ill will or hostility.
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"We believe politics should not be built by dragging racial issues into election discourse, more so when the legal position on the appointment of the mentri besar is clear," he said.
Khairul Naim urged the police and the Election Commission to investigate thoroughly and impartially.
"If the investigation finds a basis in law, action should be taken. If there is no basis, that should be stated transparently.
"No one is above the law. The principle we are defending is not about politics or any particular individual. It is about the supremacy of the constitution, the rule of law and multiracial harmony," he said.
He added that the number of complaints could rise as "we are still receiving these reports."
Asyraf Wajdi had asked during the campaign who Pakatan's mentri besar would be if caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun lost in Linggi, saying: "Who else would it be if not (Anthony) Loke from DAP?"
Loke, who is DAP secretary-general and defending his Chennah seat, has rejected the suggestion, noting that the state constitution requires the mentri besar to be a Malay-Muslim assemblyman.
Negeri Sembilan goes to the polls on Saturday (Aug 1).
