KUALA LUMPUR – There is no gain in politicians playing on 3R (race, religion and royalty) issues as action will be taken against them, said unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil.
Fahmi, who is also communications minister and Lembah Pantai MP, said politicians as leaders should also set a good example to their followers.
“If the leader himself does not set a good example, there will be disunity or disharmony among their followers and in society.
“So, my message to these leaders is to take heed of what the prime minister had repeatedly said. It is not a problem to criticise the government but do not touch on 3R issues.
“If they insist on doing so, stringent action will be taken,” he said after officiating a health screening organised by Pantai Hospital and his parliamentary constituency office, held at IWK Eco Park today.
Fahmi was commenting on a ceramah speech by Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, where the PAS president told voters there it was mandatory to vote for a Muslim leader.
Perikatan Nasional (PN) is fielding Khairul Azhari Saut, 54, whose main rival is Pang Sock Tao from DAP-Pakatan Harapan.
Hadi, who had also called DAP “extremist” in his speech, has been criticised by DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, who said he, PN and PAS were unfit to lead the country as they persisted in peddling racist and extremist tropes to win votes.
This is not the first time that Hadi has been criticised for his speeches as he has been under police investigation for playing up 3R sentiments.
However, in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, which sees voting today, police have not received any reports or complaints about campaigning that had touched on 3R matters.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husin said 12 police reports were lodged during the two-week campaign period and one charge under the Election Offences Act 1954 was brought against a man for using the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s photo, but there were no reports on 3R issues in ceramah speeches. – May 11, 2024