Mahkota polls: 'They're not touching on 3R', Muhyiddin says on 'halal' signs

The Dewan Tunku Ibrahim Ismail in Kluang, Johor was abuzz this morning with supporters from both sides of the political divide showing their support for the Mahkota by-election candidates with banners, flags, and signs.

A group of opposition supporters, however, seemed to play with the current issue as they held signs with the ‘dijamin halal’ (halal guaranteed) logo.

Perikatan Nasional by-election director Azmin Ali was also seen telling the supporters, “Calon kita dijamin halal (our candidate is halal-guaranteed)”.

When asked about it, PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin dismissed the signs touching on the 3R (race, royalty, and religion).

“They’re just normal posters and not touching on 3R. We brought those on purpose. It's up to them (the government) to interpret the signs,” he said.

This was likely a reference to the halal certification issue involving DAP’s Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, who said the proposed compulsory halal certification for food businesses that do not use alcohol or pork would burden small businesses, including Malay-owned businesses.

She was responding to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, who said the government was mulling the mandatory halal certification proposal.

The Mahkota by-election kicked off with candidate nominations today. It will be a straight fight between the federal coalition government’s candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah and PN’s Mohamad Haizan Jaafar.

The by-election was called following the death of incumbent assemblyperson Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 63, on Aug 2.

The Election Commission set Sept 24 and 28 for early voting and polling day, respectively.

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