PAKATAN Harapan senator Bob Manolan can be heard in an audio recording of his speech to Orang Asli village chiefs (Tok Batin) in Cameron Highlands earlier today saying that those who did not support the ruling coalition will lose their posts or salaries.

Malaysiakini, which reported his remarks earlier today, posted the recording of Manolan’s speech at Pos Betau in the federal constituency in Pahang, after the PKR politician denied making such a threat.

In the recording, Manolan does not specifically mention the word “votes” or the Cameron Highlands by-election but speaks about supporting the federal government.

“Batin and chairmen of the village community management council (MPKK) are paid by the federal government.

“Batin are paid by the federal government, therefore batin have to support Pakatan Harapan.

“Tak support, kita buang (No support, we get rid of them).

“Any batin who doesn’t support the government, we won’t pay their salary,” Manolan is heard saying in the recording.

After the news report of his speech, Manolan issued a statement to deny threatening the Orang Asli chiefs.

His statement appeared to address only part of what he was heard saying in the recording.

He did say that village chiefs who were also Umno division chiefs and wanted to keep their political positions, should choose between the being a Tok Batin or a Umno leader.

His statement did not address his use of the words “Tak support, kita buang (No support, we get rid of them)” but he denied saying “No vote, no pay” – which was the phrase used in Malaysiakini’s article.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim tweeted that coercion should never be used in a democracy and asked Manolan to clarify his statement immediately. – January 11, 2019.