'In government but behaving like the opposition', Tok Mat tells off BN rivals

MASJID TANAH: Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has taken parties campaigning against Barisan Nasional (BN) to task for continuing to behave like opposition groups despite being part of the federal unity government.

Without naming specific individuals or political parties, the BN deputy chairman made the remark following criticism of the coalition during the Melaka election campaign.

Mohamad said BN was instead focusing on highlighting the benefits it could offer the people rather than criticising other parties.

"That has become their natural habit. Even though they are now part of the government, they continue to behave as if they are still in the opposition.

"As a government party, they should be highlighting how the current administration, particularly at the federal level, can provide the people with confidence about what it intends to do, what it has done and what it has achieved.

"But the opposition DNA remains deeply ingrained in them," he said.

Mohamad said this when met after attending a meet-and-greet session and breakfast with the Lendu community at Durian Daun here today.

Also present was BN candidate for Lendu Datuk Abdul Hakim Abdul Wahid.

With less than a week remaining in the campaign, Mohamad urged all political parties to adopt a more civil approach and avoid being drawn into hostile campaigning.

He said the Melaka election contest should not undermine the cooperation among parties in the unity government at the federal level.

"That is why I said earlier that we must remember that we are still part of the unity government at the federal level.

"We must ensure our campaigns are conducted in a civil manner because our objective is to form a government, not to insult, humiliate or run down our opponents," he said.

Mohamad also said issues raised by certain parties through narratives that could mislead the public should not discourage party machinery from continuing to explain the facts.

He advised BN and Perikatan Nasional campaign workers and speakers not to follow the approach adopted by their opponents.

"From the beginning, after nomination day, I reminded BN and PN to conduct our campaigns in an orderly manner.

"Our campaign workers and speakers must provide explanations whenever issues are raised by any party. It is their duty and responsibility to clarify these matters.

"This is to ensure voters, as well as members of the public who may not be eligible to vote, receive clear explanations on the issues being raised," he said.

Tomorrow, a total of 9,769 military personnel and their spouses, as well as 2,762 police personnel, are expected to cast their ballots during early voting.