JOHOR BAHRU — Government aid distribution during campaign periods, including the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-election, should not involve the use of party symbols, stressed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar who is also Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman said the matter was also discussed with Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
“It had been raised when government aid is being channelled to the rakyat, party symbols cannot be used.
“This has been practised by Perikatan Nasional (PN) before, and I believe there is also one or two cases involving the unity government.
“Our directive on this matter (of using party symbol), is a no because government aid must be channelled under the government’s name,” he said after attending the Majlis Kenduri Rakyat and the handing over of 1,000 Rahmah food baskets at Taman Dahlia in Johor, today.
The Election Commission (EC) has set the nomination day for both seats, tomorrow, while early and polling day has been set for September 5 and September 9 respectively.
The seats were vacated following the death of its incumbent Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub on July 23.
Anwar said during the campaigning period, all party machinery and leaders should also abide by and respect all the rules set by the EC to ensure the smooth running of the election process.
Earlier in his speech at the event, Anwar said the government, not wanting the people to be burdened with the increasing cost of living, would ensure everything that is within its control continues to be carried out, including the provision of subsidies for essential goods.
This includes expanding and continuing the Jualan Rahmah initiative, which is a legacy of the late Salahuddin and has proven to be able to help the less fortunate by allowing them to obtain essential items at a lower cost.
However, he said, there are things that are beyond the government’s control.
“An example is when the Indian government announced a 40% increase in the export tax on onions, which is expected to affect the price of onions in this country,” he said.
As a result, he said, the government is focusing on strengthening the agricultural sector in the long run to reduce the country’s reliance on food imports, which amount to tens of billions of ringgit each year.
Besides Onn Hafiz, also present at the event were Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Deputy Minister Fuziah Salleh, Amanah vice-president Senator Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa, and the PH candidate named by Amanah to contest the Pulai parliamentary seat, Suhaizan Kaiat.
Before attending the event, Anwar performed the Friday prayer at Masjid Jamek Ar-Rahman in Taman Dahlia and then spent some time meeting the congregation. — August 25, 2023