PH lodges report over burning of party flag in Kota Tinggi

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan (PH) has condemned the alleged act of sabotage by certain parties over the burning of its flag at the entrance to the Felda Gugusan Adela in Kota Tinggi.

The coalition’s candidate for the Tanjung Surat state seat, Faizul Abdul Ghani, said the incident was discovered by the head of its logistics unit early this morning, Bernama reported.

He added that a report was lodged over the incident with both the police and the Election Commission (EC).

“Differences in political beliefs must never translate to provocation, sabotage or actions that undermine the culture of a mature democracy,” he said in a Facebook post today.

Faizul said PH respects the rights of all parties to campaign and have differences of opinions, but stressed that political freedom must be exercised responsibly, prudently and in accordance with the law.

He also advised supporters, party workers and local residents to remain calm and not act in ways that could breach legal boundaries, and leave the investigation entirely to the police and the EC.

“Election campaigns should serve as a platform to present ideas, track records and a better future for the people, not be marred by acts of sabotage or provocation,” he was quoted as saying.

Campaigning for the Johor state election entered its second day today following the completion of the nomination process yesterday.

Polling is on July 11, with early voting set for July 7.

Meanwhile, Kota Tinggi police chief Yusof Othman said in a statement that police have opened an investigation paper regarding the incident under Section 435 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire.

He said a team of officers from the criminal investigation department, with assistance from the forensic department of the Johor police headquarters, were conducting the investigation at the site of the incident.

Yusof said police take seriously any acts of mischief, provocation or sabotage that could affect public order throughout the campaign period and on polling day.

As such, he advised all parties to remain calm, campaign in a mature manner and not take any action that could cause unrest or disrupt public order.