Najib slams PKR senator over Orang Asli ‘threat’

Alfian Z.M. Tahir Alfian Z.M. Tahir Updated 7 years ago · Published on 12 Jan 2019 8:52PM · 4 Comments

Najib Razak speaking in Kampung Kerinchi, Pantai Dalam, today. Najib says PKR senator Bob Manolan's remarks should be considered an election offence. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, January 12, 2019.

FORMER prime minister Najib Razak this evening slammed Pakatan Harapan leaders over a purported threat issued to Orang Asli village chiefs (tok batin) warning them to vote for the government in the upcoming Cameron Highlands by-election.

Speaking to Kampung Kerinchi residents at an open dialogue, Najib, who is Pekan MP and former BN chairman, said that BN leaders had never issued such warnings or threatened the Orang Asli. 

“When we were the government, we never threatened anybody, unlike in Camerons. We in BN never did that.

“Whether or not you support (BN) or otherwise, you are all Malaysians,” he said when commenting on PKR senator Bob Manolan, who, according to news portal Malaysiakini, was recorded issuing the threat during a Pakatan Harapan event yesterday.

Najib later told reporters that Manolan’s remarks should be considered an election offence.

“Let’s hope no more threats are made. It goes against democratic practices and action could be taken,” he said.

Najib said he hoped BN’s move to name an Orang Asli former senior police officer as its candidate would woo Cameron Highlands voters. 

Yesterday, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim also commented on the matter, saying threats and force had no place in democratic elections.

“There is no coercion in a democracy. Bob has to clarify his statement immediately,” Anwar had tweeted.

According to Malaysiakini, PKR senator Manolan allegedly threatened Orang Asli village chiefs during a dialogue with them in Jelai.

Manolan reportedly issued a warning to village chiefs to support PH in the January 26 by-election or risk losing their jobs and salaries.

He purportedly said tok batin should be loyal to the federal government as their salaries are paid by Putrajaya.

“(Tok) batin are paid by the federal government, therefore, batin must support Harapan. If they don’t support, ‘kita buang (we discard them)’,” he was quoted as saying.

Manolan has since issued a statement to clarify his remarks. – January 12, 2019.

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Comments

  • Just waiting when this joker would open his mouth.. he too must jump on the bandwagon and have his say..

    Posted 7 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • He is a Corrupt Clown talking hoping all that Listens are Clowns too.

    Posted 7 years ago by Danial Abdullah · Reply

  • Hopefully when his trials for abuse of power, CBT and corruption start kicking in he'll have less time to pen opinions we don't want to read.

    Posted 7 years ago by C D · Reply

  • Admit it Jibby you also threaten people while in office didn't you so please mirror yourself first before wanting to comment about threaten people as you dismissed the 5 tan sri is enough said.

    Posted 7 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply