Nur Jazlan says not preventing anyone from voting

JOHOR BAHRU: Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed yesterday denied that he was trying to prevent Malaysians working in Singapore from voting in the 14th general election (GE14).

He said his remarks on the matter were merely to remind the people not to fall into the trap of the opposition who had their own agenda to ensure their “nomadic” candidates won.

“The government has always encouraged the people to exercise their right to vote but I do not want their votes to be smeared by opposition sentiment because the opposition feels their chances of winning in certain areas will be brighter if outstation voters (from Singapore) returned home to vote.

“If their (nomadic) candidates win, they will not be effective elected representatives because they are not locals. Am I wrong to say that?,” he said.

He was commenting on remarks by Johor DAP assistant publicity secretary Sheikh Omar Ali, which were carried in a portal, that Nur Jazlan was trying to prevent Malaysians working in Singapore from returning home to exercise their right to vote.

Earlier, Nur Jazlan had done a walkabout to see the development taking place in the city.

The incumbent Pulai MP told reporters that the Johor Bahru (JB) City Council will be undertaking seven transformation projects costing a total of RM24.3 million to make the city a world class metropolis.

Among them are a tiered parking lot in Laman Tun Sri Lanang that uses state-of-the art technology, a first by a local authority in the country; the Tan Hiok Nee Bazaar which will be a cultural centre for the oldest Chinese association in JB and upgrading and beautifying back lanes with better lighting and murals.

The projects are expected to be completed in 18 months. Bernama