Tiong's miniskirt remark lacks class, shows who’s truly 'extreme' - Lau

MAHKOTA BY-ELECTION | Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Tiong King Sing’s remarks yesterday about shorts and miniskirts earned a rebuke from Gerakan president Dominic Lau.

Lau claimed Tiong’s actions lacked class and is the latest example demonstrating that the unity government is the one promoting extremism.

“Recently, Tiong said… He spoke about preventing shorts and miniskirts from hanging at home (instead of being worn outside). To me, these remarks reflect the level of a Malaysian minister, devoid of any discussion on how to develop the economy in Mahkota,” he told a press conference at Perikatan Nasional’s election operations centre in Bandar Tengah, Mahkota, today.

He highlighted the placement of Islamic Development Department officers in other government agencies and the proposal to make halal certification mandatory for eateries that don’t serve pork and alcohol as purported examples of extremism promoted by the government.

READ MORE: KINIGUIDE | Understanding Jakim, its inception and powers

He also brought up the incident in March where Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh called for a boycott of KK Mart, emphasising that Umno is now aligned with Harapan.

Lau argued that the government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is exhibiting extremist behaviour.

“I want to ask, who is truly being extreme? That’s why I believe the voters of Mahkota have clear judgment, and they know who the real extremists are.

“Umno is part of the Pakatan Harapan government, so who is carrying out extremist actions? It’s not PN, it’s Harapan, and it’s Anwar’s government that is doing these things,” he said.

In his speech last night, Tiong urged Mahkota’s Chinese community to vote wisely during polling day on Saturday.

Describing it as a joke, he said making the wrong choice would signal support for PAS and could cost them the right to wear shorts and miniskirts.

Angling for ‘forgiveness’

Meanwhile, responding to Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi’s plea to voters not to punish BN at the ballot box, Johor Gerakan chief Teo Kok Chee countered that Onn deserves to be punished if he had done wrong.

Teo believes that Onn realises his mistakes, which is why he made such a plea in hopes of the people’s forgiveness.

“The menteri besar also realises that they have done many things wrong, so he says these things hoping that people will forgive him. But if you make mistakes, you must face the consequences.”

Teo stated that the Chinese community should use their votes to teach Umno a lesson to prevent the implementation of more extreme and conservative policies.

“In this by-election, the Chinese should come out and vote. Vote for us (PN) to teach the Harapan government a lesson.”

Lau then chimed in, saying, “Let us (the voters) teach them (Harapan) a lesson.”

Previously, Onn had pleaded with the Chinse community not to punish him by not voting for BN because of “federal issues”, in response to reports 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 Akmal and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.

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

However, there have been persistent concerns within the federal ruling coalition that Chinese voters may choose to stay at home in protest.

Johari says have not received any no-confidence notice against PM

PAS closing casinos: Lau complains, Fadhli assures no Taliban state

DAP leader: Johor Umno must get Akmal to apologise, not target us

PKR Youth drubs PAS counterpart for reviving 'old slander' against Anwar

Puad challenges PN to barge through 'backdoor' again

Teresa vs Akmal: PAS adds fuel to fire with 'war declaration' twist