PMTG PAUH PKR has accused Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob of flouting the Election Act for "threatening" voters.

Its vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar claims that Ismail Sabri had warned voters not to choose its candidate Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail when Permatang Pauh on polling day on May 7.

Nurul Izzah urged the Election Commission (EC) to probe Ismail Sabri for "bribery and threats" for his statement in Permatang Pauh yesterday.

She said it is the EC's responsibility to ensure that by-elections are not tarnished by threats and bribery.

"We condemn such remarks as totally unacceptable and arrogant," Nurul said at a press conference at Yayasan Aman in Bukit Mertajam today.

She said Ismail Sabri's remarks are in direct violation of the Election Act, which deals with bribery and threats before, during, and after elections.

"We urge voters to reject such threats which is part of BN's dirty tactics in the by-election campaign," she stressed.

Nurul Izzah was referring to a report in The Malaysian Insider which quoted Ismail as saying that "applications for agricultural funds and projects in Permatang Pauh will not be approved if Pakatan Rakyat wins the by-election again".

Ismail reportedly said this in his speech in Kuala Mengkuang polling district while accompanying BN candidate Suhaimi Sabudin on the campaign trail yesterday.

Wan Azizah and Suhaimi are contesting against two other candidates - Parti Rakyat Malaysia's Azman Shah Othman and Independent Salleh Isahak for the parliamentary seat.

Courting trouble again

Ismail Sabri had reportedly said that only Suhaimi would be able to bring the people's issues to Parliament.

"This is an agricultural area. I will surely approve if it is Suhaimi who is making the applications," he was quoted as saying.

"If it is (PKR's president and candidate Datuk Seri Dr) Wan Azizah (Wan Ismail), she will not even get past my office lobby.

"There is no reason for me to see her. She is from the opposition," Ismail was quoted in the report.

Ismail Sabri had courted trouble in February when he said that Malays should boycott Chinese traders for unreasonably raising prices of goods in the market.

Accompanying Nurul at the press briefing are Penang executive council member Dr Afif Bahardin, Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim, and DAP's Teluk Intan candidate Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud.

Afif said Ismail and his ilk in BN who play such ancient politics are "rude", especially to the farmers who toil and sweat on the land.

"Ismail has insulted the dignity of farmers, especially the padi farmers, by threatening them not to vote for PKR," he said.

"I believe voters here are aware of what is going on and can evaluate the situation on their own," he added.

Meanwhile, Afif said unlike Ismail Sabri, the Penang government does not practise discrimination when it comes to handing out allocations to farmers.

"Whether the farmers are from Umno, PAS, or PKR, we would still provide allocation to them if they need it," said the state exco member for agriculture, agro-based industries, rural development, and health.

"With such an attitude (as Umno's), it is no wonder that Ismail Sabri would not be defending padi farmers who suffer due to Bernas being monopolised by a business tycoon," he added.

Bernas is the national rice corporation and it controls trade for the staple in Malaysia.

"Enough with such dirty and bullying tactics in Permatang Pauh," Afif, who is also PKR national deputy youth chief, said.