The opposition's tactic to smear BN candidate Rohaizat Othman's reputation is a ploy to divert attention from the of thousands of phantom voters in Permatang Pasir, said Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

"They go on and on about Rohaizat misusing his client's money although the cooperative (Koperasi Pekebun Getah Negeri Pulau Pinang Berhad) has officially released a statement that the matter has been solved," said Khairy ( below ).

NONE "Yet they never stop about it and now they have come up with a fresh round of accusations, claiming that our candidate has a second wife," he told about 200 party workers and members of the public yesterday.

"The opposition has planted about 3,000 phantom voters here (Permatang Pasir), and we have the evidence to back our allegation," he said.

Penang Umno Youth had lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission (EC) when it found nine unidentified voters registered in two addresses after conducting a census of 30 houses in Permatang Pasir, Permatang Janggus and Bukit Jelutong.

"I believe the EC is transparent, but I have received complaints that there are agents of the opposition within the EC assisting in the transfer of voters," claimed Khairy.

Dented image

Rohaizat, a lawyer, was disbarred after he was found guilty of misconduct when he failed to return RM161,000 belonging to his client.

Umno top guns have been campaigning vigorously to salvage Rohaizat's dented image by deflecting and shifting the blame on his partner Yusri Isahak.

nasrudin hassan tantawi pas youth leader interview 160609 04 Yusri, however, denied any responsibility and said that Rohaizat was implicated for his own mistakes.

Yesterday, Rohaizat was accused by PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hasan ( right ) of having a second wife whom he is said to have neglected.

Khairy evaded addressing the matter in depth and stuck to the fact that PAS and Pakatan were threatened by the increasing support given to BN.

BN gaining support

"Our support base is widening and we are being accepted by the people once more... in Manek Urai by-election PAS won by a mere 65 votes," said Khairy.

NONE He suggested that the razor-thin majority of votes in Manek Urai was prove that BN is winning the hearts of the people while exposing PAS' weakening support.

"I have known him (Rohaizat) for almost 10 years now, and he is not the kind of person who would do this," said Khairy.

Khairy also said that PAS is not respected by its coalition partner DAP as there was no PAS representative on the state's executive council.

The Rembau MP said it was an insult to PAS and dared Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to appoint PAS candidate Mohd Salleh Man.

VIDEO l 7 mins