Zahid: BN's Mahkota candidate defended disabled person, there's no fight

MAHKOTA BY-ELECTION | BN’s candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah was defending a visually impaired individual and was not detained by the police over a fight as alleged, said Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He was responding to Bersatu information committee member Badrul Hisham Shaharin, also known as Chegubard, who sought an explanation over an alleged police report stating that the candidate was arrested over a brawl.

Zahid, who is also the BN chairperson, said Syed Hussien, 40, has no criminal record and was not hauled to court over the incident.

“This proves the opposition is bankrupt of ideas and looks for personal issues to make the voters lose confidence in the candidate.

“This is done when their campaigns fail to generate interest, especially from voters in Mahkota,” he added.

In his statement earlier, Badrul demanded an answer from the Kluang district police headquarters regarding the alleged case.

“An explanation is important because voters must know that someone with a police record linked to an act of violence is not qualified to be an elected representative,” he added.

Badrul, who also alleged a possible cover-up, claimed to have investigation documents in his possession.

“However, if I reveal the documents, it could be a crime to reveal classified government documents. So we are demanding an explanation,” he said.

‘We vet candidates thoroughly’

Meanwhile, Johor BN Youth chief Noor Azleen Ambros also defended the candidate.

“We strongly believe and put all our trust in vetting the names and background checking, which were thoroughly done by the Umno and BN headquarters.

“Furthermore, Syed Hussien was not the only candidate for the top party leadership to consider. If he was red-flagged, there were many other candidates to choose from,” he told Malaysiakini.

The BN candidate faces Perikatan Nasional’s Haizan Jaafar in a straight fight for the state seat on Sept 28.

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

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