By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal | The Malaysian Insider DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang wants Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to put an end to “dirty politics” in the Hulu Selangor by-election, claiming that the attacks on PKR candidate Datuk Zaid Ibrahim were part of a ploy to implicate the PM as being a drinker.
The veteran politician told reporters in Parliament that there was an “ulterior motive” behind the unwarranted attack on Zaid, who was a former Umno member, in order to “target” top Umno leaders like Najib as well as Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein. “There are layers of conspiracy and power struggles in Umno.”
“I wonder whether those responsible for these dirty politics, making this unwarranted attack on Zaid Ibrahim have ulterior objectives.” “Their objective is to attack Najib and Hishammuddin because Hishammuddin is now dragged in, Najib also dragged in. The people behind this attack, are they going for a larger target?” quipped Lim. The DAP leader stressed that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) had never used the alcohol issue as a campaign strategy, in response to photos of Hishammuddin allegedly consuming alcohol being circulated on the Internet.
“The report of alcohol attack on Zaid, now it has spread to Hishammuddin and the denial from Hishammuddin about the photo on the net, he said its doctored eight years ago..we never touched on it, never used it , why now it’s an issue? It’s all thanks to Umno’s dirty campaign in the Hulu Selangor,” added Lim.
The issue on alcohol consumption has become a campaign attack on Zaid’s character by Umno.
Zaid, however, has admitted to drinking in the past but has promised Hulu Selangor voters that he is now a reformed man.
PAS has thrown its weight behind the PKR candidate, with its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang coming out to back Zaid.
Pictures of Umno leaders allegedly consuming alcohol have also surfaced in the past week.
“PM is going to Hulu Selangor on Friday. Is he going to say that he never drank in the past? This is the direction of election strategy that DAP doesn’t want to see in the country.”
“I call on the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to send out clear directives to put an end to dirty politics in Hulu Selangor,” said Lim.