IN the 14th general election, there is no limit to the level of pettiness shown by the Election Commission towards PKR, said Batu voters today.

Still reeling from the “unlawful” disqualification of candidate Chua Tian Chang, better known as Tian Chua, residents are taken back after the EC removed PKR flags and banners in many areas in the constituency last night.

Two voters recorded EC and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) officials taking down the election materials.

Abdul Aziz, who was driving past Masjid Al-Hidayah in Sentul, stopped and questioned the officials on who had authorised them to remove the flags.

“One officer told me that since Tian Chua, who is PKR vice-president, is not contesting in Batu, they have to take down the flags and banners.

“I pointed out to them that the banners and flags did not have Tian Chua’s photograph.

“I also told them that PKR is contesting in GE14, and the party has the right to put up their flags.

“If the officers’ argument is ‘Tian Chua is not contesting in Batu’, what about Barisan Nasional’s Tengku Adnan (Tengku Mansor), whose pictures are up in Batu?”

The businessman said the officials told him that they were acting on the instructions of the returning officer, but they could not name him.

The 46-year-old, who has lived in Sentul almost his whole life, said he has never seen the EC being so petty.

Iruthayaraj Moniandy also recorded EC and DBKL officials taking down PKR flags and banners in other areas in the constituency.

“If I were somebody prominent, I would have gotten out of my car and stopped them,” said the 31-year-old, adding that he is “very angry” with the EC.

Batu has 76,328 voters, 42.52% of whom are Malays, Chinese (38.28%) and Indians (17.46%).

In the 2013 general election, Tian Chua defended his seat with a 13,284-vote majority. He has been disqualified from contesting this time around.

The seat will see a four-cornered fight between BN’s Dominic Lau Chai Hoe, Azhar Yahya (PAS), and independents P. Prabakaran and V. M. Panjamothy.

Mohd Amiruddin Abdul Kadir was more pointed in his comments.

“What is the EC so afraid of? They are so efficient when acting against the opposition.

“It’s just a flag. Are you scared that if PKR wins, you will no longer get ‘gifts’?”

On the video recordings of PKR flags and banners being removed, Amiruddin said he is disgusted by the EC’s double standards.

“There are so many goodies being dished out by BN, which is illegal. Why not go catch them?

“Don’t you have anything better to do than to tear down flags and banners?” said the 36-year-old.

On PKR-endorsed independent candidate Prabakaran, he said: “He seems like a nice guy. It doesn’t matter if he is young and has lots to learn. As long as he is willing, he has my vote.”

Faez Fikri, 42, lashed out at the EC, saying he will be on the lookout for officials removing PKR flags and banners.

“I will record it and post it online. I want the people to know what the EC is capable of.” – May 6, 2018.