SEREMBAN: Keep your pockets empty while campaigning and refrain from making statements involving Umno and Barisan Nasional, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
This terse message from the Barisan deputy chairman was directed at all 108 of the coalition’s candidates contesting in the six upcoming state elections on Aug 12.
He said all candidates should strictly abide by this advice during campaigning to ensure they and the party do not face unnecessary problems in the run-up to the polls and after the elections.
“It is normal for people to ask politicians for financial assistance, donations or sedekah (alms) when you are in the middle of campaigning and if you oblige, this can be misconstrued as buying votes.
“My advice is to not do charity or give any donations during the period as you are also giving ammunition to others. It can be used to challenge you later on if you win the election.
“You must remember there are people out there who wish to win by default,” he said in his speech after presenting letters of appointment to Barisan candidates on Friday (July 28).
Mohamad also reminded them not to respond to or make any statements regarding Umno or Barisan, and leave it to the leaders to handle such matters.
“When you campaign, reporters and others are going to ask you many questions.
“Your focus should only be on your constituency. Work hard, visit as many localities and know your strengths and weaknesses.
“Do not make any statements as these can be used to cause a rift among us,” he said, advising candidates not to respond to queries outside their respective constituencies.
Separately, Mohamad said Negri Sembilan Barisan was confident of making a clean sweep of the 17 seats it is contesting in the state.
However, he reminded the party machinery to work hard to ensure this happens.
“We won five parliamentary seats in the last general election but we must remember that a state election is a different affair altogether.
“On paper, we have the advantage but let us not take this for granted as our adversaries may resort to slander to get votes,” he said.
There are 36 seats in the legislative assembly. In the last general election, Pakatan Harapan won 20 while Barisan bagged the remaining 16.
On another matter, Mohamad said the tagline for Barisan’s manifesto for the six state polls was Unite for Stability and Prosperity (Perpaduan Demi Kestabilan dan Kemakmuran).
He said each state involved will have a local theme and pledge.
“We will keep it simple and realistic as we do not want to make promises we can’t keep.
“We must remember that we have to go back to the rakyat every five years and can’t make pledges we can’t deliver,” he added.
Barisan deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan advised all Barisan Nasional coalition candidates to keep their pockets empty and refrain from making statements involving Umno and Barisan Nasional during the upcoming state elections on August 12. Addressing the 108 candidates contesting in the elections, Mohamad emphasized the importance of complying with this advice to avoid unnecessary issues before and after the polls. He cautioned that providing financial assistance or donations during campaigning could be misinterpreted as vote-buying and used against the candidates if they win the election. Mohamad warned the candidates about opponents who may try to win by default.
Mohamad further advised the candidates not to respond to or make any statements regarding Umno and Barisan, leaving such matters to the party leaders. He urged the candidates to focus solely on their constituencies, work diligently, visit localities, and understand their strengths and weaknesses. He specifically advised candidates not to engage with queries outside their respective constituencies, as making statements in response could cause divisions within the party.
In a separate statement, Mohamad expressed confidence in Negri Sembilan Barisan sweeping the 17 seats it is contesting in the state. However, he reminded the party machinery to exert effort to ensure this achievement. Mohamad recognized the difference between a state election and a general election, emphasizing the importance of not taking their advantage for granted, as adversaries may resort to slander to secure votes. In the last general election, Pakatan Harapan won 20 out of the 36 seats in the legislative assembly, while Barisan secured the remaining 16.
Regarding Barisan’s manifesto for the state polls, Mohamad revealed the tagline as “Unite for Stability and Prosperity” (Perpaduan Demi Kestabilan dan Kemakmuran). He mentioned that each state involved will have a local theme and pledge, with the intention of keeping the promises simple and realistic in order to avoid making pledges that cannot be fulfilled. Mohamad emphasized the need to deliver on their promises to the public every five years.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
