PERMATANG PAUH, April 25 — Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi has warned the Permatang Pauh candidates to stay away from sensitive issues relating to race, religion and culture.
He said the nomination of the four candidates for the by-election went smoothly without any untoward incidences so he hoped it will be the same for the campaign period.
“I want to advise all the candidates to adhere to the Election Offences Act 1954 when conducting their campaign and to avoid touching on sensitive issues that can cause disharmony and uneasiness amongst the people,” he told reporters at the Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara here after the nominations today.
Rahim said there was a crowd of about 10,000 supporters from Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat today but there were no incidences or fights when they marched in with their respective candidates.
He reminded all parties to apply for permits for their ceramah as provided under Section 24(b) of the Election Offences Act 1954 for election campaign and limitations.
“So far, we have yet to receive any applications for ceramah but we may be getting applications later today or tonight,” he said.
On the use of loudspeakers by some of the supporters outside the nomination center, Abdul Rahim said he will “study” to see if they broke any law by using loudspeakers.
The by-election will see a four corner fight between BN’s Suhaimi Sabudin, PKR’s Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PRM’s Azman Shah Othman and independent candidate Salleh Isahak.
Polling will be on May 7.
