TELUK INTAN, May 30 ― Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin accused the DAP today of disrespecting the late Perak Sultan, saying in the party’s desperation to win the Teluk Intan poll, it continued with its political rallies last night instead of observing a quieter campaign as a sign of respect.
In comparison, the Umno deputy president and deputy prime minister pointed out that Barisan Nasional (BN) had halted its campaigning yesterday to observe solemnity over the ruler’s death on Wednesday.
“BN has made the decision, even yesterday we respected the death of His Highness. That’s why we stopped our programmes, we didn’t even campaign. Because that’s how we are towards the ruler of the state,” Muhyiddin told reporters in a meeting with Indian groups here.
“It seems that the opposition does not care about that at all. Despite that, they still continued with their programmes. That was a disrespect.”
Campaigning in Teluk Intan was suspended by both camps from Wednesday afternoon as a mark of respect to the late Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah who died the same day.
However, DAP resumed its campaign last night, holding a massive rally in downtown Teluk Intan, drawing a large predominantly Chinese crowd of thousands.
BN also held a hastily-convened rally near the Teluk Intan Leaning Tower last night, with a poorer attendance of a few hundred BN supporters.
The rally was originally slated to be part of a bigger event in BN’s campaign for the by-election before the death of Perak Sultan but had to be toned down as a mark of respect.
Campaigning continues today, with BN leaders who attended a meeting with Indian groups this morning wearing Malay headgears songkok with white bands around it as a show of respect.
BN’s Datuk Mah Siew Keong, 53, will take on DAP’s Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud, 26, in a straight fight tomorrow.
