Voting is one’s duty, Hadi told

PETALING JAYA: PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has been told to stop playing up racial sentiments after he raised concerns over NGOs encouraging Chinese voters to return home to vote in this Saturday’s Johor state election.

PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh said all citizens have a duty to exercise their right to vote.

“It is the responsibility of all Malaysians to fulfil their rights and duties by voting to determine the direction and future of the state and country. Leaders should remind the people of these rights and responsibilities.

“My advice to Hadi is, enough with playing with racial sentiments in his remarks. Malaysia does not need leaders like this,” she told FMT.

Fuziah also urged voters to reject race-based or hate-based politics at the ballot box.

“Malaysians actually want to live in harmony, respect one another and work together to build a more progressive, competitive and sustainable Malaysia,” she said.

She was responding to Hadi’s remarks expressing concern over reports that 134 NGOs were mobilising Chinese voters to return home to vote in the Johor election.

The groups, including the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH), had issued a joint statement urging voters in Johor and Negeri Sembilan to return home to cast their ballots.

Other signatories included Dong Zong, Jiao Zong, Merdeka University Bhd, state Chinese assembly halls, the Centre for Malaysian Chinese Studies and the LLG Cultural Development Centre.

Meanwhile, Pulai MP and PH candidate for Larkin, Suhaizan Kaiat, said encouraging people to vote was a healthy democratic practice and should not be portrayed as a threat.

“Any effort to encourage people to come out and vote is a good practice. Why should it be used to frighten others?

“In PH, we practise mutual respect. We encourage a high voter turnout. Malays, Chinese, Indians and other communities should vote for the candidates of their choice,” he said.