MELAKA: Politics of hatred, incitement and narrow racial narratives should be rejected throughout the campaign period in the Melaka election, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Pakatan Harapan secretary-general said this would be the stance set by the coalition, which chose to focus on competing ideas, service records and the welfare of the people.
“Our red line is to completely reject the politics of hatred, the politics of incitement and politics that is based on the idea that to defend our race, we must oppress others.
“We will focus on a peaceful campaign,” he told a press conference at the conclusion of the nomination process for the state polls.
Saifuddin Nasution said the message which Pakatan would bring during campaigning was to celebrate democracy by respecting differences of opinion, to highlight policies and a manifesto that focuses on job opportunities, the cost of living and the future of the youth.
He said the coalition would also focus on reaching out to voters, including out-of-constituency voters.
“We have figures for each seat contested regarding out-of-constituency voters, and they are the focus of our attention,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pakatan’s Paya Rumput candidate, Datuk Azman Abidin, is banking on his experience serving the Prime Minister and ties with the Federal Government to address electorates’ needs.
He said those connections would help him serve the semi-urban constituency, which also encompasses villages with differing needs.
“I will make the best of my connections for the benefit of voters and residents in Paya Rumput,” he told reporters after submitting his nomination papers at Stadium Hang Jebat.
He is facing a three-cornered fight with Rafie Ahmad from Perikatan Nasional and Abdul Rashid Abu Bakar of Parti Bersama Malaysia.
Azman also said Melaka Pakatan is expected to launch its state election manifesto within the next day or two.
