KUALA LUMPUR – PKR plans to file an election petition against Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin if he wins the Pagoh parliamentary seat tomorrow, following a remark by the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman that has been accused of inciting racial and religious tensions.
This could be the first time a petition on such grounds is filed, according to PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli, who made clear the party’s intention of taking the matter to court.
He was referring to a viral video clip of Muhyiddin urging the rakyat not to vote for Pakatan Harapan (PH) and suggesting that Christians are working in concert with a group of Jews to promote and Christianise Malaysia.
In a press conference today, Rafizi said the statement is in violation of Section 4A of the Election Offences Act 1954, which prohibits, among others, the promotion of feelings of ill-will, discontent or hostility between persons of other races.
The law states that if the person is convicted at a date after he has been elected, his seat shall then be vacated.
According to Rafizi, PKR Youth is expected to file a police report today for the case to be investigated under Section 504 of the Penal Code for provoking a breach of the peace and Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for uploading such material online.
“More importantly, besides being probed by the Election Commission before the polls, PKR will consider filing a petition in Pagoh to challenge the election result, in the event Muhyiddin wins the seat, for breaching Section 4A of the Election Offences Act.
“I have left instructions with our legal team to be fully prepared to lodge an election petition, and that will be the first in our history.”
@MuhyiddinYassin shame on you for attempting to pit Msians against each other.
— Kasthuri Patto (@PattoKasthuri) November 17, 2022
You were a racist bfore & are still one.
You were the biggest stumbling block in the Min of Home Affairs whn PH ws in Govt.
Msians, PLEASE deny ANY vote to Perikatan Nasional.
?? deserves the best! pic.twitter.com/TNHuqXyJqS
In the viral video, Muhyiddin had labelled PH a “big danger”, speaking of a video supposedly of a Jewish group discussing the possibility of Malaysia falling into the hands of the opposition, which would later sponsor them and the Christians.
“Does this mean that a process of Christianisation will be taking place? And we have heard this account before, have we not?” he had said.
Rafizi said PKR’s plan to file the petition has nothing to do with wanting to win the election, but the party has a strong stance against politicians who issue statements that incite racial and religious tension.
“It tears apart the very fabric of our society. We are living in the 21st century, but unfortunately, instead of focusing more on governance and policies, there is a tendency to swing to the extreme right in the last few years.
“This is a dangerous phenomenon that we have to tackle seriously. It’s not enough for PH leaders to just talk about this, I think the time has come for us to utilise every available legal provision against these individuals.”
Rafizi added that while the timing and location of Muhyiddin’s speech is yet unknown, an investigation by the authorities should be able to ascertain these details.
He said even if the video was recorded before the campaign started, that it only started disseminating during this period should also be considered an offence.
“Otherwise, I can just record the most violating content five months ahead of dissolution, and only make it viral after Parliament is dissolved.”
You can go to hell, says Anwar
In a ceramah last night, PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had also taken Muhyiddin to task, saying political opponents are running out of ammunition and are stooping low to garner support.
He said this is perplexing as the same group of individuals are more receptive to cases of corruption.
“They want to bury their cases (of robbing the nation’s wealth). All they harp on is on the Chinese, Jewish, and Christians.”
In a message to the non-Malays in the country, Anwar said unlike his rivals, he wants to lead the country as someone who protects all groups, regardless of their race and creed.
“I’m not being defensive. If you want me to lead this country, I will defend the rights of the Malays and the non-Malays.
“I will defend the Chinese and their rights, I will defend the Indians, and people of Sabah and Sarawak.
“If anyone accuses me of supporting the communists, you can go to hell!” the PKR president said in a rousing speech that drew rapturous cheers from the crowd. – The Vibes, November 18, 2022
