KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 – PKR Communications director Fahmi Fadzil has criticized Perikatan Nasional (PN), stating that the coalition’s resorting to race and religion issues in the Kuala Kubu Baru (KKB) by-election indicates a lack of innovative ideas among its leaders. Fahmi, also the Minister of Communications, urged PN’s machinery in KKB to refrain from playing racial sentiments, cautioning that such tactics could backfire. He questioned the sincerity of PN leaders in raising issues related to vernacular schools, highlighting instances where even PAS leaders, including President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, reportedly send their grandchildren to Chinese schools.
Emphasizing Malaysia’s tradition of moderation, Fahmi labeled the exploitation of race-related issues by political parties as immature. He dismissed claims that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was boycotting the by-election, asserting that Anwar had signed the appointment letter of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate, Pang Sock Tao, and had been present at a Raya function in KKB with Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari on April 26. The KKB by-election, triggered by the passing of DAP assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong, will witness Pang contesting against candidates from PN, Parti Rakyat Malaysia, and an independent candidate. Polling is scheduled for May 11, with early voting on May 7.
