MELAKA – With fake announcements such as Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali not being Umno’s final pick as chief minister candidate to Pakatan Harapan (PH) agreeing to abolish the Ayer Keroh toll plaza, political coalitions competing in the Melaka election are busy debunking fake statements in the run-up to the poll.
Believed to be issued by unscrupulous quarters with vested interests, these statements and fake excerpts of quotes from political leaders are a common sight on social media.
All three of the main coalitions contesting in the Melaka polls — PH, Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) — have fallen victim at least once to such a tactic.
The most recent one was a statement supposedly issued by Melaka PN liaison chief Datuk Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen this morning expressing dissatisfaction that Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsuddin has been named the coalition’s chief minister candidate.
The statement also expressed hope that the party would rethink the decision and not allow political frogs to lead the state, referring to Mas Ermieyati’s history of jumping from Umno to Bersatu following the 2018 general election.
PN immediately debunked the statement when sought for clarification.
Yesterday, a flyer supposedly from PH urging people to come out to protest at the Ayer Keroh toll and call for its abolishment had also made its rounds.
Press members, taken by surprise by the eleventh-hour invitation, had rushed to the location before being informed it was fake.
Earlier on Monday, a false statement bearing the PH top leadership’s names was also distributed online, claiming the coalition has agreed to name a deputy chief minister from DAP if it wins the state election.
Umno was also not spared; a letter supposedly issued by party secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan to Melaka Umno divisions claiming Sulaiman’s chief minister’s candidacy was not final and that Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh is more qualified for the post went viral.
Ahmad swiftly took to Twitter to rubbish the internal letter.
The distribution of fake statements, ostensibly to tarnish the reputation of political rivals, has been quite common during elections of late.
Melaka will head to the polls tomorrow to determine who leads the state for the next five years. – The Vibes, November 19, 2021
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