PAKATAN Harapan’s Muslim leaders, in a last-ditch effort, have appealed to Malays’ sense of shame to sway their vote in today’s Cameron Highlands by-election.

Amanah president Mohamad Sabu led his party’s elected representatives in urging the community to think about how embarrassing it would be if they handed victory to Barisan Nasional, which was found guilty of bribery and corrupt practices in the 14th general election.

“This is the first election triggered by corruption. Who knows how many more elections might be called due to the same reason in the future?” he said at a ceramah in Kuala Medang, Jelai, last night.

“If BN won the (Cameron Highlands) by-election through corrupt means in GE14, are you going to vote for BN again?”

The by-election was called after the election court nullified C. Sivarraajh’s win due to vote-buying.

Last night also saw PH speakers, most from component party Amanah, urging PAS supporters and members to ignore their president’s call to support BN.

Kedah Amanah election director Adnan Saad said a vote for BN-Umno is a vote for leaders who have been caught with millions in cash stashed in their homes.

“A vote for BN is a vote for these leaders who got caught with all that cash in their homes. Ask yourselves, what are these people doing with that much cash?

“Some of these people are likely to be charged down the line. So why would you vote for them?” said Adnan, who was in charge of the 900-voter Kuala Medang polling district.

The by-election sees a four-way battle between PH’s M. Manogaran, Ramli Mohd Nor of BN, and independents Wong Seng Yee and Sallehudin Md Talib.

The Jelai state constituency, home to most of Cameron Highlands’ Malays and Orang Asli, has been the main battleground during the polls campaign.

In GE14, PH secured only 9% and 10% of the Malay and Orang Asli vote, respectively.

During its campaign, BN tried to maintain Malay support by harping on the plunge in palm oil and rubber prices, which has adversely affected many in the community who depend on these crops for their livelihood. The pact has also used racist rhetoric against PH and its candidate, who is Indian.

PAS worked overtime during the campaign period to support BN, and the 3,500 votes that the Islamist party got in Cameron Highlands in GE14 could make a difference in today’s polls.

Last night’s PH ceramah saw speakers taking aim at PAS’ actions, saying they smacked of double standards, especially the opposition party’s attacks on DAP, which it has accused of being anti-Islam.

“Previously, PAS leaders told you to fight BN, but now, they are telling you that you can work with BN,” said former PAS deputy president Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu.

“Now, PAS says you cannot vote for non-Muslims. But what about the 10 years when it worked with DAP in Pakatan Rakyat?” he said, referring to the now-defunct coalition. – January 26, 2019.