SEREMBAN, July 28 — Barisan Nasional (BN) deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan told BN candidates contesting in the six state elections to temporarily stop giving handouts during the campaign period.
He said it is to avoid ruining the reputation of any candidate, which could negatively affect campaigning and influence the party’s performance at the polls.
“I have reminded our candidates to look after themselves in the 14-day period (campaign) and to forget about acts of charity for the time being.
“This to ensure such practice would not be made an issue or become ammunition by anybody to shoot and question the election results and be taken to court, so to avoid such a situation, we will refrain first,” he said.
He said this to reporters after handing out appointment letters to BN candidates at Wisma Umno here today.
In this regard, the BN election director said the party’s manifesto is being evaluated by the central leadership and will be launched simultaneously with the manifestos Unity Government components, with the theme Unity for Stability and Prosperity. soon.
“We do not want states to have manifestos that are too ambitious as the state election has its limits … We do not overpromise; we do not want to make all kinds of promises we cannot deliver,” he said.
Commenting on the 17 candidates standing in Negeri Sembilan, Mohamad, who will contest in Rantau, said all candidates are competent and have clean backgrounds.
“We at the headquarters have performed stringent screening. All of (the candidates) have passed with no issues that could be raised as weapons by people looking for trouble,” he said.
In the 14th General Election, Pakatan Harapan won 20 assembly seats (DAP: 11, Keadilan: 6, Amanah: 3), while 16 seats went to BN.
The Selangor, Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu and Negeri Sembilan polls will be held simultaneously on August 12, with nomination tomorrow and early voting on August 8.
— Bernama
