The Election Commission (EC) has been urged to intervene on the “sex and smut” campaign that would be deployed by Umno-BN in the run-up to the Kajang by-election which will see PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim contesting.

Describing such campaign tactics as “unethical, dirty and desperate”, PKR vice-president N Surendran said it is morally reprehensible to plan and conduct such an election campaign.

“Worse, the sodomy allegations and alleged sex video themselves are part of a baseless smear campaign orchestrated by Umno and the BN government since 1998. In short, Umno plans to use their own fabricated allegations against Anwar to cheat and mislead voters during the by-election,” he stressed.

“The BN government is fearful of the impact of rising prices and widespread corruption that may affect their election chances. Umno is resorting to the politics of vilification and character assassination.

“This sickening type of election strategy degrades public discourse and undermines the democratic debate,” he noted in a statement.

Surendran, who is also Padang Serai MP, was commenting on Umno information chief Ahmad Maslan's ( left ) statement yesterday, that it would use the on-going sexual allegations of Anwar to undermine the PKR candidate’s chances as he still faces the prosecution's appeal in the sodomy II acquittal.

Ahmad - who is deputy finance minister - said the Kajang voters must be told or reminded of this.

“There is nothing wrong for us to talk about Anwar Ibrahim so that Kajang voters can pick someone who is really suitable to be their assemblyperson," he was quoted to have said.

Underhand campaign tactics

 

Umno's “sex and smut” campaign, said Surendran, could not have taken off without Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's approval as Umno president, and he should bear full responsibility if it is employed.

 

The PKR vice-president said it would be a shame if such underhand campaign tactics are allowed by the prime minister's own political party.

 

Following this, he urged the EC to be pro-active in defending the integrity of the election process.

 

“The EC chairperson (Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusoff) must summon Najib and demand an explanation of Ahmad's shocking announcement. It is EC's constitutional duty to ensure the integrity of the elections based on Article 113 of the federal constitution.

 

“Failure to do so will prove incontrovertibly that the EC is a toothless tiger, and is biased in favour of the ruling BN,” said Surendran.

 

The PKR vice-president hence, urged BN to shelve its 'sex and smut' plans, and pledge a clean and fair campaign in Kajang.