KUALA LUMPUR – The only reason why former Melaka chief minister Idris Haron and three other incumbent state assemblymen were invited to a Pakatan Harapan (PH) event on Monday night was to show gratitude for bringing change in Melaka, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar said that the quartet’s presence at the event held at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) does not however allude to them contesting under the PH banner in next month’s state polls.
“Many have asked why we invited them to the event. We only invited them because they stepped up to bring change in Melaka and at that time, the Melaka PH division was supporting them.
“So we thought it appropriate to say thank you. But the state election is another matter entirely,” Anwar said after attending a Maulidur Rasul celebration in Port Dickson.
Besides Idris, it was reported that former Pengkalan Batu assemblyman Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee, Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad (Telok Mas) and Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor) were also present at the event.
The PH chairman acknowledged that DAP had opposed Norhizam as a PH candidate, saying the issue will be discussed in a meeting this evening.
“It’s alright, we will discuss this matter this evening,” he said.
Although there are news reports of a PH presidential council meeting this evening, Anwar’s press secretary Tunku Nashrul Tunku Abaidah said that it will just be a political bureau meeting.
With the state polls slated for November 20, Anwar also expressed concern over possible Covid-19 outbreaks among schoolchildren who have not been inoculated.
“Melaka Governor Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam did not think of the implications before asking for the state assembly to be dissolved.
“We are worried for schoolchildren who have not not been vaccinated. There is a risk.
“This is not about politics. When there is an election, we will go all out. But this is putting the people, children, and their parents at risk. I am disappointed that the state leaders are not sensitive to this,” he said.
On Monday, the Election Commission (EC) set November 20 as polling day and November 8 for nomination, giving parties 12 days to campaign.
EC chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh had said early voters can cast their ballots on November 16. – The Vibes, October 20, 2021
