KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is confident that MCA and MIC will remain loyal to Barisan Nasional, despite attempts by another coalition to entice them ahead of the upcoming state elections. As the Barisan chairman and Umno president, Zahid expressed his belief that the coalition in question frequently makes such offers during election periods. However, he remains optimistic that MCA and MIC will stand firm with Barisan. Zahid made these remarks during the launch of the 2023 National Entrepreneur Week and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Week at Dataran Merdeka, here yesterday.
Zahid was responding to Perikatan Nasional election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s offer to MCA and MIC, urging them to leave Barisan and join Perikatan for the forthcoming state elections. In another development, Zahid also commented on former Putrajaya deputy Umno chief Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz’s decision to join Bersatu yesterday, stating that Umno and Barisan only need leaders who are loyal. Zahid wished Faisal all the best.
Addressing another matter, Zahid responded to DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng’s claim of a potential “green wave” leading to the destruction of Buddhist temples. Zahid dismissed the statement as an attempt to tarnish Lim’s reputation, emphasizing that it was an old statement being brought up again. Zahid stressed the importance of ethical political activities and the avoidance of character assassination.
Meanwhile, Deputy Comm Datuk Suresh Kumar G. Suppiah, the federal police deputy CID director (forensics and strategic planning), stated that the police have received multiple reports against Lim regarding his speech. Lim allegedly made the controversial remarks during the “Tian Fu Gong Bai Long Wang Singapore-Malaysia Tour 2023” event in Jelutong, Penang on July 7. The Special Investigation Unit is currently investigating the matter under the Sedition Act, the Penal Code, and the Communications and Multimedia Act. DCP Kumar urged the public to refrain from speculating as it may disrupt the investigation process. Strict action will be taken against any party that disrupts national harmony and security.
Lim has denied the news report, clarifying that his comments referred to a previous case in Kedah in 2020 involving the demolition of a Hindu temple. On his Facebook page, Lim emphasized that he would never exploit race, religion, and royalty issues for political gain, as it would harm the harmony among different races and religions in the country.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
