PASIR GUDANG: DAP will assist in campaigning for Umno's candidate in the upcoming Mahkota by-election next month, said its national publicity secretary Teo Nie Ching.
She said the state seat is in the Kluang parliamentary constituency represented by Wong Shu Qi from DAP.
Teo, who is also Johor DAP deputy chairman, said she hoped that her party's assistance would help ensure a smooth by-election campaign so that the seat continues to be represented by a party in the unity government.
She expressed hopes that the Mahkota by-election will not be marred by issues related to the monarchy, religion, and race (3R).
"Every time there is a by-election or a general election, my advice remains the same, I repeat it over and over again.
"Before becoming politicians, we are citizens first, so let us maintain the harmony of our society.
"In the month of August, during the National Day celebrations, and in September, during Malaysia Day celebrations, let us maintain harmony in our society," said Teo, who is also deputy communications minister and
Kulai member of parliament, before flagging off participants of the Johor Jaya Run 2024 at the grounds of Dewan Raya Bandar Seri Alam here today.
The Mahkota seat fell vacant following the death of its incumbent from Umno, Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 63, on Aug 2 while receiving treatment at Hospital Enche' Besar Hajjah Khalsom, Kluang.
The Election Commission has set the nomination date for Sept 14, while early voting will be held on Sept 24 and polling day on Sept 28.
"I hope the 3R issue will not be played out in the Mahkota by-election," said Teo, referring to the recent campaign in the Nenggiri by-election, where police reports were lodged against Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for allegedly touching on 3R issues.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, was reported as saying that the investigation against the Pagoh MP and Bersatu president, is being conducted under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998; and Section 504 of the Penal Code.