Using racist banners not professional, says Streram

REMBAU: It has been a week of peaceful campaigning for candidates in the Rantau state seat byelection, save for a few hiccups that raised eyebrows and stirred up emotions.

However, it was the appearance of at least five provocative banners in the constituency here that hit the roof for Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Pakatan Harapan’s Dr S. Streram.

The banners, which played up racial sentiments, had called for Malay voters to reject Dr Streram as he is of Indian descent.

This didn’t go down well with Dr Streram and PH’s team, who lodged a report at the Rantau police station here yesterday.

Dr Streram expressed disappointment with the perpetrators behind the “racist” banners, which urged Malay voters not to vote for an Indian candidate.

“This is not a good way (to campaign).

“As a professional, I ask voters to vote for me based on my profession and service to the community.

“We will not focus on this provocation and my representative will lodge a report (over the matter). I am afraid because this concerns me,” he said during a walkabout in Kampung Nyatoh here yesterday. Dr Streram urged candidates to practise healthy politics and refrain from provoking one another.

“We have to campaign professionally and there should not be provocation. “But every day, there is provocation made against me.

“We didn’t do anything (as alleged). Maybe they want to divert my attention elsewhere, but I will focus on convincing voters to give me a chance.”

Mohamad, on the other hand, denied any involvement in the banners, saying such a cheap stunt would only backfire on the party and affect his chances in the polls.

He said the irresponsible act was believed to have been committed by certain parties to ignite anger among the Indian community before polling day on April 13.

“I would never do such a thing. I represent all races, not just Malays.

“It doesn’t make sense for me to do such a thing, as it would only hurt my reputation.

“Besides, I need votes from the Indian community as well.”

He said he viewed the matter seriously, as it discredited BN and his good name.

“I will request that the BN machinery team lodge a report.”

During a PH ceramah held here yesterday, DAP secretary-general and Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng hinted that the East Coast Rail Link lines would be changed, which would involve Negri Sembilan.

Lim said the idea was one of the ways to continue the project while reducing its cost to RM35 billion, far lower than the RM55 billion agreed upon earlier.