PETALING JAYA: A Pakatan Harapan candidate for the Melaka polls has received mixed reactions on social media after claiming he managed to obtain a waiver on a tax penalty of over RM70,000 imposed on a fishermen's association, just within one day.
Supporters praised him for acting quickly, while critics accused him of cronyism.
Mohammad Mukhlisul Mubin Julasapiyah, better known as Mukhlis Mubin, said in a video that he met the general manager of the Melaka Barat Area Fishermen's Association on Monday (Oct 26) and took the matter up.
"Yesterday we had a meeting, today we brought it to Parliament and today it was settled. This is how Gen Z works," said the Pakatan candidate for Kuala Linggi.
He said the association, which has 278 members, had cleared most of its tax arrears but still had to pay the penalty, which the Customs Department indicated could be waived with Finance Ministry approval.
Mukhlis said he raised the matter with Muhammad Kamil Abdul Munim, political secretary to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his capacity as Finance Minister, who then brought it to the Prime Minister's attention.
"We got his approval and signature. The RM70,000 penalty (waiver) was approved and settled," he said, adding that Anwar signed a letter on the matter for follow-up action.
Facebook user Rusnah Aluai was among those who commended him for solving the problem promptly.
"Do the right thing, right, at the very first time. Keep it up," said Rusnah.
"If he is elected in Kuala Linggi, its constituents will have an elected representative that truly cares for its people," said another user, Sanusi Abdullah Samuel.
Others, however, said he had relied on political connections to fast track the matter.
"This is not how Gen Z work. This is how cronyism works," said Husaini Mustapha on Threads.
Threads user Kimi Veloce said the video clearly showed an election candidate using his political connections.
"This is not right at all. Debts must be paid and not settled using your 'cables'," said Kimi.
Mukhlis, a Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia law graduate and former international debate champion, is Pakatan's youngest candidate in the polls.
He is contesting Kuala Linggi in the Nov 14 Melaka polls, a Barisan Nasional stronghold where his father lost five times.
