PH’s Semerah candidate accuses Onn Hafiz of fearmongering

BATU PAHAT: Pakatan Harapan’s Semerah candidate, Khuzzan Abu Bakar, has accused Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Onn Hafiz Ghazi of trying to scare Malay voters into rejecting him in the Johor election on Saturday.

Khuzzan said he was disappointed with Onn Hafiz’s claim during a campaign event yesterday that “a vote for Khuzzan equals a vote for DAP”.

Khuzzan, a former Semerah assemblyman, said such tactics appeared intended to divert public attention from real issues, including quality job opportunities, the rising cost of living and housing.

“I am contesting based on the principles of justice, good governance and service to the people regardless of their political background.

“Semerah voters will judge candidates based on their track record and ability to solve problems, not political labels meant to scare voters,” he told FMT.

Onn Hafiz had said that his criticism of Khuzzan was not based on racial sentiments, but was a rejection of DAP’s ideology.

Khuzzan faces a three-cornered fight against the incumbent from BN, Fared Khalid, and Perikatan Nasional candidate Othman Kepol.

In the previous Johor election, Fared wrested the Semerah seat from PH with a majority of 4,041 votes in a five-cornered contest.