Ahmad Maslan Regrets Infidel Label Over His Call To Support Dap

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Umno supreme council member Ahmad Maslan has expressed regret over comments that branded him as an "infidel" after his statement last week that called for Umno members to support candidates from the DAP contesting in the upcoming six state elections.
Speaking to reporters in Parliament, the Pontian MP said there was nothing unusual about his statement that urged Umno members to support the DAP - their former rivals - which is now part of the coalition government.
"What I previously said (was) support not in the name of DAP (as a party) but for the unity government,” said Ahmad (above).
"We help each other... the DAP candidate who lost in Pontian during the 15th general election received 15,000 votes," said the three-term Pontian MP who defended his seat against DAP's Shazwan Dzainal and two others.
"Now we are in the unity government, come GE16, I think the DAP will no longer contest in Pontian. Therefore, those 15,000 voters who voted for the DAP, maybe they will vote for BN or Umno.
"Therefore, when the DAP will help us, it is a political norm that we, too, will help other parties in government," the deputy finance minister said at a press conference today.
Ahmad also admitted he felt saddened by the personal attacks that followed his statement.
Perikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin YassinPerikatan Nasional chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin previously described Ahmad's call for Umno members to support DAP candidates as "unusual".
Subsequently, several unidentified individuals had posted an image of Ahmad on Facebook, edited to change his face to that of a pig and labelled "kafir" (infidel).
Ahmad today said several police reports have since been lodged on the matter, including by Umno Youth, although he added that he did not instruct them to do so.
"I would like to thank several parties who lodged police reports against the Facebook accounts that branded me as an infidel.
"This is not a personal issue, but a matter of principle where we cannot label others as an infidel...," he said.
Ahmad also reminded his critics that both Bersatu and PAS - now PN allies - had previously partnered with the DAP as part of Pakatan Harapan and Umno as their then-political rivals never branded their presidents, Muhyiddin and Abdul Hadi Awang, as infidels. - Mkini

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