PM will not join campaign in KKB, Fahmi hints

KKB BY-ELECTION | Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil hinted today that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will not be present in Kuala Kubu Baharu to campaign for Pakatan Harapan candidate Pang Sock Tao.

The government spokesperson claimed this has been a tradition in several previous by-elections.

"Regarding when the prime minister will be in Kuala Kubu Baharu, I don't know yet. I am not in contact with him.

"He is currently abroad. Usually for a by-election, the prime minister does not come down.

"This is not only the practice in the current administration, but also the previous administrations," he told reporters in Kuala Kubu Baharu when asked when the Harapan chairperson will come down to campaign.

For the record, Anwar had previously stumped for Harapan candidates in the Pulai and Simpang Jeram twin by-elections, as well as the BN candidate in Pelangai by-election, all held last year.

In Kuala Kubu Baharu, Perikatan Nasional leaders on the campaign trail for Bersatu’s Khairul Azhari Saut have so far targeted Anwar and Agriculture and Food Security Minister Mohamad Sabu for alleged failures in carrying out their duties to the people.

Malaysiakini previously reported that a group of Indian NGOs as well as former DAP leader P Ramasamy through his new party, Malaysian People's Rights Party (Urimai), have also launched a “don’t vote Harapan” campaign as a sign of protest against Anwar and the government.

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