Thirteen NGOs from Penang have threatened to expose a ‘Pink Diary’ on the shenanigans of Umno in Penang while on their quest to support PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s contest in Kajang, which goes to polls on March 23.

Among the NGOs are Hapus (Abolish Tolls), Jingga 13, Solidarity Anak Muda Malaysia, Bara (Bantah Anugerah Kerakyatan Asing), Langgar-901, Pahlawan (Angkatan Pesara Polis Tentera Negeri Pulau Pinang) and Squad Keadilan Malaysia.

Hapus representative Zainulfaqar Yacob ( left ) said the group has prepared several ‘talking points’ to expose how Umno has allegedly cheated the Malays in the state.

“Our purpose is to tell all how Umno is the most evil party (parti paling jahat) in Malaysia,” he said when met after a press conference in Seberang Perai today.

“This is a direct warning to Penang Umno, which has been talking too much about Anwar’s decision to contest in Kajang. We will expose their true nature in Kajang, which we have compiled in our Pink Diary,” he added.

“We plan to expose them one at a time so everyone will be aware of who these Umno leaders are,” he added.

Jingga 13 state coordinator Amizudin Ahmat said the group has decided to open an operations centre in Kajang to support Anwar and help him win the high-profile contest.

“We will also expose the Pink Diary there and have printed about 5,000 pamphlets to explain the details to the people,” said Amizudin, showing the file containing the alleged exposes.

“We will bare all so Umno, be prepared,” he warned.

This is in sharp response to the press conference held by Permatang Pauh Umno division chief Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said on Jan 30, where he claimed that the voters within the constituency were disappointed with Anwar for wanting to contest the Kajang seat.

Mohd Zaidi said he received the feedback from the Permatang Pauh voters, adding they were of the view that Anwar’s move was clearly in his political interest to acquire power without any heed for the people’s interest.

Mohd Zaidi said Penang Umno was sending 30 people to help with the election campaign in Kajang should BN decide to contest there.

“We will be there with all the information and facts on why Anwar should not be allowed in the by-election,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama , adding that his team will divulge the problems of the people which their MP has failed to solve so far.

The Kajang seat fell vacant when its former assemblyperson Lee Chin Cheh resigned on Jan 27 to make way for Anwar to contest the mixed seat. Nomination day is on Tuesday, March 11.

Anwar, the Permatang Pauh MP, has since explained that he was contesting the seat to bring improvements to Selangor, currently led by Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim.

‘’Don’t play up racist and religious sentiments’

Permatang Pauh PKR chief Amir Ghazali said the group will strip Zaidi and Umno in their expose of the duo’s performance and reputation in Penang, especially towards the Malays.

“We warn him and Umno not to play up racist and religious sentiments or bring these sentiments to the Kajang by-election campaign,” said Amir in a press conference earlier at the Permatang Pauh market.

“We will be in the frontline in the campaign in Kajang and will mobilise about 60 speakers on this quest to expose Penang Umno’s dirty linen in public,” he added.

Amir said most people in Permatang Pauh are aware of Zaidi’s character in Penang, and that his party, too, is allegedly probing several accusations levelled at him related to the recent Umno election.

Langgar-901 representative Zulkifly Saad said the group is mobilising people to participate in rallies to explain the ‘Kajang move’ and other current issues in five districts in Penang.

These rallies follow the ‘Turun’ demonstration held at the Sunway Carnival on Jan 26 attended by about 1,000 people, to protest a series of price hikes in the country.

These rallies, dubbed ‘Turun 2 Kajang’, will kick-off in Queensbay Mall, in Bayan Baru and later will be held at Komtar, Plaza Dato’ Kailan in Kepala Batas and Nibong Tebal.

“We will be there at the nomination day in Kajang and will mobilise others to join us there,” said Zulkifly, a Seberang Perai Municipal councillor.

Bara representative Zulkifly Md Lazim said the group will expose issues related to Malay land allegedly sold by Umno and their “racist acts”.

“One of the clear cases we want to publicise is Kampung Tenang, Balik Pulau land deal involving two top Umno leaders in Penang,” said Zolkifly, who is also part of Ragas - an NGO called Rumah Ganti Rumah Selesa.