PUTRAJAYA: The poison pen letters urging Chinese voters to abstain from voting in the Mahkota state by-election on Sept 28 have no impact on the Barisan Nasional candidate's chances.
Deputy Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said all election machinery involving component parties in the unity government are working hard to ensure that all voters turn out to vote during the polling day for the by-election.
"I was in Mahkota the whole day, yesterday, and Johor Menteri Besar (Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi) told me about it.
"(And) it was found that that it (the poison letters) has no influence and will not affect the Chinese voters in the Mahkota state seat
"This as some of the Chinese voters reside outside the Mahkota constituency, specifically in the Mengkibol and some live outside the Kluang district," he told reporters at the 3rd MTVET meeting and engagement session between 66 government-linked companies and private companies with 12 TVET ministries today
"Many also work in Johor Baru, with some work in Singapore.
"So, efforts have been made not based on that letter, but we strive to ensure what happens in Sungai Bakap by-election, where their (the Chinese voters) turnout percentage was quite low, does not repeat itself.
"Therefore, in the Mahkota by-election, we are working together with all the component parties in the unity government to encourage them to return to vote on the 28th," he added.
On Sept 28, Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi, also the Pakatan Harapan coordinator for the by-election, said poison pen letters, urging Chinese voters to abstain from voting in the Mahkota state by-election on Sept 28, were being distributed in the constituency.
Wong said complaints were received regarding the distribution of Chinese-language letters in several housing areas. She also expressed hope that those responsible would cease such actions.
The Mahkota by-election on Sept 28 will be a straight contest between BN candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah and Perikatan Nasional candidate Mohamad Haizan Jaafar.
It is being held following the death of incumbent Sharifah Azizah, 63, on Aug 2 while receiving treatment at Enche' Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital.