Political parties in Negeri Sembilan state election must respect the monarchy and avoid 3R issues, says Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid.
SEREMBAN: Political parties contesting the Negeri Sembilan state election have been reminded to respect the monarchy and refrain from raising issues involving race, religion and royalty (3R) throughout the campaign, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
He said the reminder issued by the Negeri Sembilan Palace urging all parties to avoid such issues should be respected, adding that Barisan Nasional (BN) had never used 3R matters as campaign material.
“We hold firmly that the institution of the Malay Rulers must be defended. In the context of Negeri Sembilan, the institution of the Undang Yang Empat must also be safeguarded and we have never touched on the matter, instead respecting the institution.
“I would like to remind any party that raises the issue that there is no need to do so. This is a good reminder from the Palace,” he told reporters after attending the Negeri Sembilan Entrepreneurs Gathering Programme here today.
Also present were Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
Ahmad Zahid was commenting on a statement by the Negeri Sembilan Palace advising contesting political parties not to involve the royal institution during ceramah and campaigning for the state election.
In a related development, he also dismissed claims of a dispute between BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) that had allegedly prevented cooperation between the two coalitions from materialising.
The BN chairman said there had been no quarrel or differences between the two sides, adding that their relationship continued to be based on mutual understanding.
