CAMERON POLLS | PKR senator Bob Manolan Mohd has apologised to Orang Asli village chiefs (tok batin) in Cameron Highlands.

This is over his remarks that village chiefs who do not support Pakatan Harapan or the government risked losing their positions and salaries.

In a statement this evening, Bob Manolan said his remarks had touched on how village chiefs who were Umno branch leaders cannot fulfil the federal government's aspirations to help the Orang Asli.

"Unfortunately, in explaining this during my speech, (I had said) any tok batin who does not support Harapan as the government of the day should not be paid.

"I admit this was excessive because it can cause confusion and be interpreted as a threat," he added.

Bob Manolan, who is an Orang Asli himself, conceded that his statement hurt the feelings of the village chief.

"I realise my statement not only hurt the feelings of the tok batin but also caused discomfort among Harapan leaders because the Harapan government upholds democratic principles.

"In view of this, I regret making the statement,” he added.

However, Bob Manolan said he still believes that all village chiefs must support the government's policies for their implementation to be effective.

The senator also thanked PKR leaders who advised or criticised him on this issue, while adding that this would encourage him to serve the public better.

On the eve of the Cameron Highlands by-election nomination process last Friday, Bob Manolan attended a dialogue between Harapan lawmakers and 18 tok batin in Pos Betau, Pahang.

During his speech, the senator said "Jadi batin ini memang dibayar oleh kerajaan pusat maka itu batin kena sokong Pakatan Harapan. Tak sokong, kita buang" (The tok batin are paid by the federal government thus they must support Pakatan Harapan. If not, we will remove them) and "mana batin-batin yang tak sokong kerajaan, kita tak bayar gaji dia. Betul! Jangan bayar gaji dia" (If there are any tok batin who do not support the government, we won't pay their salaries. Correct! Don't pay them).

After Malaysiakini reported this, Bob Manolan denied threatening the village chiefs.

Malaysiakini produced the audio recording of his remarks on the same day while several village chiefs who attended the event expressed anger over the senator's statement.

Despite this, Harapan leaders such as Lim Kit Siang defended Bob Manolan, claiming that DAP lawmakers present at the event "confirmed" that the senator did not threaten the village chiefs.

Similarly, PKR vice-president Zuraida Kamaruddin said Bob Manolan's speech was misinterpreted.

Eventually, another PKR vice-president Tian Chua apologised on behalf of his party for Bob Manolan's "unintended careless statements".

The Orang Asli community are a key demographic in this by-election, making up about 22 percent of the 32,000 eligible voters in Cameron Highlands.

Past elections have shown that nearly all the Orang Asli in Cameron Highlands voted for BN.

However, some Orang Asli voters have told Malaysiakini that this time round, they are undecided.