Zahid says PN uses hate speech tactics in elections

Making defamatory and hate-filled statements is a common tactic used by Perikatan Nasional (PN) especially during election periods, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said that during the Sungai Bakap by-election, PN stirred up voter sentiment by manipulating the diesel subsidy issue to sway the election results.

“They used that issue to win the Sungai Bakap by-election, but we observed that in Gua Musang, voters, especially the Orang Asli, were quite rational,” he said.

“We have engaged with this group at five polling district centres (PDM) regarding the rationalization of the diesel subsidy, and they have accepted the explanation,” he said, reported Berita Harian.

He said this at the groundbreaking ceremony for the road alignment project in Kuala Betis, Gua Musang Kelantan.

The Nenggiri state by-election in Kelantan is set for August 17, with early voting on August 13 and nominations on August 3.

In Nenggiri, approximately 2,700 registered Orang Asli voters constitute 13.84% of the electorate. Malays represent the largest voting group at 85.93%, while the Chinese and Indian populations account for 0.20% and 0.03%, respectively.

Former navy officer Mohd Rizwadi Ismail has been selected by Bersatu to contest in the Nenggiri by-election.

Meanwhile, Umno has chosen its Kelantan Umno Youth chief, Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani, to run for the seat on behalf of the unity government, facing off against Rizwadi from PN.