Day 12 Manogaran Cannot Defend Muslims Interests Says Najib

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CAMERON POLLS | Campaigning for Cameron Highlands by-election is entering the final stages with just two days left before polling day
DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang gets off to an early start by giving out Spring couplets to the members of the Chinese community in Kampung Raja
Meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan candidate M Manogaran will spend his day alongside Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in Jelai
On BN side, acting Umno president Mohamad Hasan will be in Jelai today while its candidate Ramli Mohd Nor will visit Pos Lemoi, Pos Betau and Sungai Koyan
Independent candidate Wong Seng Yee is expected to hold a press conference today
Tonight, Harapan's mega ceramah in Tanah Rata will feature PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, Kit Siang and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng as key speakers
Meanwhile, the Bersih-organised live debate between candidates will be held at 9pm at Heritage Hotel in Tanah Rata
Malaysiakini brings you live reports of the campaigning on the ground
KEY HIGHLIGHTSNajib: Manogaran cannot defend Muslims' interestsDPM: I took leave to join by-election campaign trailBersih expresses concern over Pahang MB's remark on TOL to votersHarapan's full page ad in Malay daily promises to develop CameronRamli slams Harapan for assuming Orang Asli expect handouts Kit Siang hands out early CNY greetings at marketNajib: Manogaran cannot defend Muslims' interests2.30pm - Kampung Lubuk Kulit, Jelai: Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, who made his second appearance in Jelai today, highlights Pakatan Harapan’s failure to fulfil their manifesto pledges
He is speaking to approximately 100 BN supporters
Najib adds that Harapan’s candidate for the Cameron Highlands by-election, M Manogaran, is not capable of defending the interests of Islam and the Muslim community (ummah), unlike BN and PAS
He says that such interests are prioritised by PAS supporters. “Based on this principle, surely Manogaran cannot determine the concepts of Islam and ummah
“DAP has never mentioned the importance of ummah and Islam. On the contrary, they want to dispute many matters about ummah and Islam. [...] As such, there is no reason why PAS supporters cannot support BN,” he said. DPM: I took leave to join by-election campaign trail2pm: Kampung Keledek, Jelai - Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail clarifies that she and two deputy ministers have taken leave to campaign for Pakatan Harapan
The deputy ministers Wan Azizah is referring to are Fuziah Salleh (Prime Minister's Department) and Raja Kamarul Bahrin (Housing and Local Government)
They are also using their personal vehicles, she stresses
“All three of us have taken leave and come in our own vehicles
“We are trying to avoid all controversies because this (not using government vehicles) is a standard operating procedure in this by-election,” she tells the media after attending a luncheon in this PAS stronghold
The former PKR president adds that Harapan will need to “investigate” a claim that a deputy minister had used Forestry Department vehicles to campaign, before the coalition takes any action
“If it is really true (that) he took the vehicle, if it is wrong, it is wrong,” she says
Bersih expresses concern over Pahang MB's remark on TOL to voters1.30pm: Kuala Lumpur - Election watchdog Bersih wants Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail to clarify his remarks made to Cameron Highland voters yesterday, which it views as him reminding the constituents of his powers as state menteri besar
In reference to Temporary Occupational Licences (TOL), the Jelai assemblyperson had reportedly said at an event in Habu yesterday that while he did not want to make promises, local farmers' lots would improve compared to what it is now. "I don’t want to promise we can solve everything. You have to remember, if I can solve it, no problem! I will help."In a statement today, Bersih expressed "grave concern" over the remark, which it says could be deemed as undue influence, an election offence under Section 9 of the Election Offences Act 1954 or even an abuse of power as defined under Section 23(1) of the MACC Act 2009
"Bersih 2.0 urges Wan Rosdy to immediately clarify his remarks and give assurance to voters in Cameron Highlands that he will carry out his duty as the Menteri Besar and work to resolve all outstanding issues, especially land issues, with whoever gets elected this coming Jan 26. "Voters should not be subjected to such threat on their livelihood when casting their votes," it said
Harapan's full page ad in Malay daily promises to develop Cameron1pm: Cameron Highlands - Pakatan Harapan has taken a full page advertisement in the Malay daily Sinar Harian.Featuring a large image of Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad, it invites readers to “An Afternoon with Tun” at Felda settlement Sungai Koyan 1 scheduled for noon this Friday (Jan 25)
The advertisement highlights how the Harapan government will bring development to Cameron Highlands
“All residents including public servants, Orang Asli and Felda settlers will enjoy clean and fair development which won’t be by political cronies
“The Harapan government will ensure all the rakyat’s needs like housing, healthcare, roads, electricity, water supply, internet and other basic needs will be given to those who need it
“Development for the people is ensured from the government. The Harapan administration is fair, clean and fair
“Vote without feeling afraid. Let us develop together with the Harapan government,” it reads
The advertisement appears on page seven of the paper’s northern region edition
Don't patronise Orang Asli - Ramli11am: Cameron Highlands - BN candidate Ramli Mohd Nor chastises his political rivals for what he says is the ruling coalition's assumption that the Orang Asli expects government handouts
He reportedly deems such thinking as patronising to the community
“Respect and appreciate them. They do not need handouts of any form. Do you see them nagging and begging
“No, they believe in voluntarism, and that explains their willingness to help us in this by-election," he says in an interview with FMT
Kit Siang hands out early CNY greetings at market8.30am: Kampung Raja - DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang starts his day at Kampung Raja wet market with the party's campaign team
Lim distributes Chinese couplets to the local community as an early Chinese New Year greeting and receives a warm welcome from the ground
Coincidently, MCA is also here, collecting signatures from the public in opposing the abolition of the death penalty. Its members try to get Lim to sign the petition, but to no avail
During Lim’s press conference, when asked on the issue about PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang denying that he volunteered himself to be a prime minister prior to GE13, Lim says the answer is expected
"My answer to that question: Do you expect him to admit?” he says
In a statement last night, Lim claimed that the reason why Hadi was 'telling lies' about DAP being anti-Malay and anti-Islam was because DAP had refused to support the PAS president as the prime minister candidate prior to GE13. -Mkini

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