Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali has denounced the recent political attacks directed at him and his family, accusing his opponents of using government departments and employing “slanderous and gangster-like” tactics against him.

This comes after how one of his nephews was recently arrested by the MACC in connection with a sand-mining deal. MACC has denied that the arrest was politically motivated.

One of his most vocal critics, Sungai Besar Umno division chief Jamal Md Yunos also threatened to broadcast a compromising video of him after previously staging numerous stunts deriding Azmin.

The PKR vice president said today that he disagreed with such a “slanderous and gangster-like” political culture, especially at a time when the rakyat was looking for responsible leadership.

“They can’t fight us with facts so now they are fighting us with fitnah (slander).

“I entered the political arena not to play dirty politics.

“If you do not agree with me, challenge me and debate me. Do not take my nephews and do not touch my family…Do not use government agencies to ridicule me and confuse (people about me).

“Let us fight like gentlemen in the upcoming general elections (and) let the people decide for themselves,” he told the crowd today at a Jelajah Peduli Rakyat event organised by PKR in Kampung Melayu Subang.

Azmin added that he welcomed Jamal’s challenge for his Bukit Antarabangsa state assembly seat but disputed his credibility.  

“It’s a democracy, so whoever wants to challenge me, (go ahead and) challenge me.

“If the rakyat want a leader who wears towels and is a kaki fitnah (slanderer), pick him.

“But if you want a leader and a government that cares about the people, defend the present Selangor government,” he said.