Johor BN denies involvement in vandalism of Pakatan campaign materials, calls for probe

JOHOR BAHRU, June 30 — Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) has denied any involvement in the incident that involved damaging Pakatan Harapan (PH) flags and campaign materials ahead of the state election.

Johor BN information chief Md Israk Abdullah said the state coalition has never ordered, encouraged or sanctioned any form of political vandalism. 

“We are campaigning maturely, factually and are disciplined. No party should try to take advantage of this incident to tarnish BN’s name without clear evidence.

“The state BN has asked that the authorities investigate the matter transparently so that the real perpetrators are identified. It is also to determine if the irresponsible parties are attempting to create a bad perception of BN,” he said in a statement issued today.

Md Israk, who is also the Johor Umno information chief, warned that the state BN will not hesitate to file a police report to defend the party’s good name.

He said this includes any slanderous attempts to link BN to the incident.

Yesterday, several PH billboards displaying images of the coalition’s Pasir Raja candidate Fakharuddin Moslim were vandalized by unknown parties.

The billboards, scattered by the roadside in Kota Tinggi, were deliberately torn and the candidate’s name was removed from the image.

In addition, several PH flags and Mengkibol candidate picture boards were removed and thrown away in Kluang.

Police reports have been lodged in the incidents that are believed to have occurred at the official start of the Johor state election campaign period after nomination day last Saturday.