GEORGE TOWN: Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu is expected to explain his recent controversial remark that he is involved in a “lone battle” against DAP in his state.
Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) secretary general Datuk Marzuki Yahya said that party member Faizal will be asked to clarify his position on the matter at a high leadership council meeting on Monday.
"If he wants to clarify, then we will let him do it. In the meeting tomorrow, we will ask him what he actually meant by his statement," he said at a press conference here following the launch of the “Konvensyen Kepimpinan Berhikmah” at Universiti Sains Malaysia here, today.
Marzuki stressed that what Faizal said was based solely on his personal experience, and was not an attempt to provoke.
He added that he believes that the matter has been overblown, as other members of Pakatan Harapan (PH) component parties have made controversial remarks in the past.
"For instance, Ronnie Liu. The party will try to curb (what he says) at the state or division level.
"It is not a big issue. Our focus should be for the (Tanjung Piai) by-election," Marzuki said.
Social media was abuzz on Saturday after a 6-minute-and-27-second video surfaced online, in which Faizal makes the remarks during a public talk.
It is believed that the video was recorded during campaigning in Tanjung Piai, as PH’s by-election candidate, Karmaine Sardini, is seen in the footage.
In the video, a man addressing both Faizal and Karmaine says that he did not vote for PH in the last general election, and expresses his disappointment at the ruling coalition.
Faizal responds by saying that he “is in a lone fight with DAP factions” in Perak, as he wants to defend the Malays and Islam.
Meanwhile, Marzuki said that PH is finally gaining momentum following a slow start to campaigning in Tanjung Piai.
He said that the constituents must reject racial politics and the by-election is the right platform through which to do this.
"Tanjung Piai must reject racial politics. If it is not curbed now, then it will spread further.
"This can affect the stability of the country," he added.
The Tanjung Piai by-election will take place on Nov 16, with early voting set for Nov 12.