Akmal-Teresa clash merely 'Chinese opera act', says Chegubard

MAHKOTA BY-ELECTION | A Bersatu leader on Perikatan Nasional’s campaign trail has likened the war of words between Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh and DAP’s Seputeh MP Teresa Kok to a staged act.

Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, claimed that Akmal’s attacks against Kok over her remarks on halal certification were merely an act to attract Malay and Chinese votes.

This was because Akmal was silent on KK Mart founder Chai Kee Kan accompanying Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on the latter’s work visit to Uzbekistan for business following the socks scandal, he said.

“Akmal and Kok are a Chinese opera act for the Mahkota by-election.

“Kok wants to attract Chinese voters, Akmal wants to attract Malay voters,” he said during a PN ceramah in Kampung Tengah, Kluang, last night.

The Islamic Development Department (Jakim) was reportedly considering a proposal to make halal certification mandatory for restaurants and food companies that do not serve pork and alcohol, but this was later dropped.

On Thursday, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the spat between Akmal and Kok over the issue is “considered over”.

The deputy prime minister said he had met Akmal over the matter on Sept 14 and that the latter had “toned down”.

‘Elections have become dirtier’

Badrul (above), who is Bersatu Information Committee member, criticised Anwar and the government’s ministers for asking the people if they were doing well while on the ground.

“This is the beauty of living in a country called Malaysia where there is a prime minister and ministers who go down to the people and ask ‘are you still doing well?’

“Friends, we are actually in a very bad situation,” he said.

He went on to claim that elections have gotten dirtier ever since Anwar became prime minister.

He also greeted the security personnel in the crowd in jest during the opening of his speech.

“The security personnel must be celebrated because Chegubard will be caught once a month.

“If (I) don’t greet them, I won't get to eat maggi goreng,” he joked.

In July, Chegubard was arrested after he claimed to have received a confidential document on the alleged corruption and bribery involving a navy official.

The month before that, the Johor Bahru Sessions Court fixed hearing dates for a separate case involving him, where he was charged with posting seditious remarks related to the casino project in Forest City on social media.

On Sept 28, Mahkota voters will choose PN candidate Mohamad Haizan Jaafar or Kluang Umno Youth chief Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah as their representative.

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

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