‘Harapan loves frogs’ - Umno defectors become fodder for Opponent

‘Harapan loves frogs’ - Umno defectors become fodder for Opponent 

Pakatan Harapan's move to accept Umno defectors to contest under the opposition coalition's ticket in the Malacca polls has become fodder for its opponents.

Opponents used the awkward relationship to paint the Umno leaders as "sell-outs" to the DAP while also framing Harapan as a "frog-loving" coalition.

Several banners have since been put up by unknown persons in Malacca to push these narratives.

Several banners in Chinese which read, "Mouse loves rice, Harapan loves frogs" were put up in Malacca, including in Ayer Keroh and Bukit Beruang.

The banner, in white text and red background, is a play on a Chinese song with a similar title.

They have since been removed by Election Commission (EC) enforcers.

Meanwhile, a banner of Idris Haron's caricature was put up at a highway in Alor Gajah, showing him carrying a sign with the words "DAP" on it.

There were also several "DAP" texts, all pointing towards him.

The caption of the banner read: "You are a traitor".

Idris had led a movement to oust the Umno-Bersatu government and sought to form a new government with Harapan.

However, he was outmanoeuvred after then Malacca chief minister Sulaiman Md Ali sought a dissolution of the state assembly, paving the way to fresh polls.

He had since been sacked from Umno. His allies Nor Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor - Umno) and Noor Effandi Ahmad (Telok Mas - Bersatu) were also sacked.

The fourth person from the Idris group was Norhizam Hassan Baktee, who won the Pengkalan Batu seat on a DAP ticket in 2018 but became independent to support the Umno-Bersatu government but later also turned on that government.

EC urged to ensure fair campaigning

Only Idris and Nor Azman will be fielded by Harapan to contest against their former parties.

Idris will be using PKR's quota in Asahan, moving from Sungai Udang, while Nor Azman is going under Amanah's quota in Pantai Kundor, his former seat.

Noor Effandi and Norhizam were sidelined. Norhizam, in particular, was rejected after vehement objection by the DAP. He will now contest as an independent in his incumbent seat of Pengkalan Batu.

DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, when asked if the party will campaign in Asahan and Pantai Kundor, deflected the question.

"You have to ask the secretary-general (Lim Guan Eng) this question. You are asking the wrong person. I am not in the leadership position," Lim told a press conference at the Harapan Ayer Keroh election operations centre.

He had said the DAP was opposed to fielding any of the four defectors but was outvoted by PKR and Amanah.

For the record, Umno is also fielding a PKR defector in Rembia. Muhammad Jailani Khamis won the seat under a PKR ticket in 2018.

Meanwhile, DAP political education director Liew Chin Tong, who was also present at the press conference, urged the EC to arrange a suitable campaigning platform amid tough restrictions due to Covid-19.

"One way is to emulate the (MCA president) Wee Ka Siong and Guan Eng debate by organising daily live telecast for the chief ministerial candidates and candidates of key constituents," he said.

"You cannot use federal resources to campaign for your party whereas other parties don't have the resources," he added.

He stressed that the EC should act fairly and be free of political interference.

The Malacca polls will take place on Nov 20. Nomination day is tomorrow.