Mahkota: Johor MB plays business card in plea to Chinese voters

MAHKOTA BY-ELECTION | Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi made another plea to Chinese voters in Mahkota not to punish BN at the ballot box this Saturday.

He said they should not vote emotionally, as defeating BN in the by-election may spook investors.

"I feel sad when they (media) ask whether the Chinese will boycott (BN)... because the message this sends to investors is that Johor is not stable, don't come and invest in Johor, and that we are not friendly," he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian yesterday.

He was speaking at a gathering with Chinese business and community groups.

"Many here in this hall are tauke (business owners), chairpersons of associations, temples, community leaders who are influential... I'm begging you.

"Don't be influenced by social media, we have to be more rational. I know many decisions are made emotionally. But this is the time for us to be emotional for the sake of Johor, we must resolve to develop Johor together," he added.

Previously, Onn had pled with the Chinese community not to punish him by not voting for BN because of "federal issues".

He had said this in response to reports he received from Chinese business owners that the community was not keen on casting their ballots on Saturday.

The federal issue the menteri besar alluded to is believed to be the halal certification spat between Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.

Before the by-election campaign began, two Pakatan Harapan leaders expressed concern that Akmal’s attacks against Kok may hurt BN’s chances of winning.

About 35 percent of the Mahkota electorate are Chinese, 54 percent Malay, and eight percent Indian.

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