SABAK BERNAM, June 12 — Pakatan Harapan leaders today urged the Election Commission (EC) to reprimand Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for allegedly threatening Sungai Besar voters, following reports claiming the deputy prime minister had made a “chicken sacrifice” pledge to local fishermen.
At a press conference here, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar accused Zahid of violating election rules when he reportedly said he would check the ballot boxes to see how the fishermen had voted in the coming June 18 by-election.
“This shows a form of threat if the fisherman don’t vote for Barisan Nasional (BN), they will have to vote the status quo because of fear.
“We urge the EC to give a guarantee so that voters feel safe in both by elections. I think Zahid should be given a warning by the EC because they claim that they do not side anyone,” the Lembah Pantai MP said.
She added that the deputy prime minister’s remarks also gave the impression that Malaysians no longer enjoy the right to have their votes kept secret.
The EC, as the country’s elections regulator, should issue an appropriate response, Nurul Izzah said.
“We urge EC to give a professional and responsible response if the ballot boxes can be infiltrated by a Cabinet minister.
“Does that this mean that Malaysians vote are no more done in secrecy?” she asked.
Parti Amanah Negara’s (Amanah) strategic director Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad also urged the EC to address this issue immediately to “prevent voters from voting under duress”.
According to a Malaysiakini report yesterday, Zahid, when stumping for BN here, made a “chicken sacrifice” pledge to Sungai Besar’s fishing community.
“Don’t just say in front me but you don’t vote. I promise. Janji potong ayam.
“If the fishermen here vote for Budiman, I check the ballot boxes, for sure I will come back here again...,” he was quoted as saying in the news portal’s report.
According to the news portal, the chicken sacrifice is an ancient practice of some segments of the Chinese community that involves sealing an oath with the blood of a slain chicken.
