KLUANG, April 6 — Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein today urged voters to reject seasonal politicians from the Opposition, claiming they only have a destructive agenda.

"These politicians are not consistent and will only appear during the general election period to foment doubts among the public with false promises and lies.

"For Barisan Nasional (BN), we are firmly committed to our struggle and I hope the public recognises and appreciates this,” he said here today.

Hishammuddin also warned that these "seasonal” politicians from the Opposition are known to play-up racial and religious sentiments among voters.

The Sembrong MP said it was not an easy journey for BN to push for unity among Malaysians, and urged voters not to be influenced by parties that aim to destroy the strong bond among races in the country.

"This multiracial and multicultural spirit can’t be achieved instantly as it is easier to sow hatred. For my constituency (Sembrong), BN has given its commitment to the people here for the past 15 years,” said Hishammuddin during the launch of the Sembrong BN election machinery programme at the division’s Umno community house here.

Barisan Nasional supporters attend the launch of the Sembrong Barisan Nasional election machinery in Kluang April 6, 2018. — Bernama pic

Hishammuddin was joined by his wife Datin Seri Tengku Marsilla Tengku Abdullah, MCA’s Paloh assemblyman Teoh Yap Kun and MIC’s Kahang assemblyman R. Vidyananthan.

More than 3,500 people turned up for the event, the first for BN after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak earlier today announced the dissolution of Parliament effective tomorrow, paving the way for the 14th general election (GE14).

Hishammuddin, who is the defence minister and also special functions minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said the Sembrong BN division was honoured to be the first to launch their election machinery in the country.

"Sembrong BN has a solid team under me as the incumbent MP. In addition, we have Teoh and Vidyananthan taking care of the Paloh and Kahang state seats in parliament,” he said, adding that all 29 district polling centres (were prepared for GE14.

The Sembrong parliamentary seat is considered a BN stronghold in Johor and has been held by Hishammuddin since 2004.

In the 2013 general election, Hishammuddin received a majority of 22,841 votes against PKR’s Onn Abu Bakar who only managed 12,210 votes.

The state seats of Paloh and Kahang fall under the Sembrong federal constituency.