(Johor, 28th) Barisan Nasional MCA's Senai state seat candidate Dai Qiqi accused the Pakatan Harapan government of breaking its own announced principle that no official events by the federal or state governments should be held between the nomination day and the end of the voting period in the state election.
She pointed out that according to the promotional content posted on the Facebook page of Wong Bor Yang, DAP's prospective candidate for the Senai state seat, today—after nomination day—the "Rahmah Sales Program" organized by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living proceeded as usual. “The promotional poster even bears his own photo, and the caption directly states 'N.52 Senai Pakatan Harapan Candidate Wong Bor Yang', along with campaign slogans and party campaign tags, completely mixing government events and campaign promotions together.”
Dai Qiqi issued a statement pointing out that DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook had publicly said recently that Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar had given clear instructions: after nomination day and until the end of voting during the state election, no official events should be held by the federal or state governments to ensure a fair and just election and to avoid any misuse of government resources.
Dai Qiqi questioned DAP and the Pakatan Harapan government: If all official events are prohibited during the election campaign, why is this event hosted by a government department still being held as usual? “If this is an official event, why is the candidate publicly promoting it in his capacity as a candidate, using it to increase his own campaign exposure? If it is not an official event, then why use the name, resources, and platform of government departments for promotion?”
She criticized that when DAP was in the opposition in the past, they often strongly opposed the abuse of government resources and insisted that government and parties must remain separate, and would harshly criticize opponents for overlapping official activities and election events. “But now that they are in power, when the same thing happens to themselves, they choose to remain silent and even personally participate in the promotion. This is not reform; it is blatant double standards.”
Dai Qiqi called on Wong Bor Yang to publicly explain to voters whether this event is in fact an official or campaign activity; she also urged Loke Siew Fook and Anwar to clarify whether the instruction to prohibit official activities during the campaign period is still in effect, or whether it is only spoken to restrict others and not applicable to Pakatan Harapan candidates.
