BAGAN DATUK (May 7): Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged all quarters not to defame the Election Commission and the police in the discharge of their duties.

He said there was no basis to the allegation by G. Manivanan, the Pakatan Harapan candidate for the Hutan Melintang state seat, that the ballots of early voting in the Bagan Datuk parliamentary constituency had been counted.

“Do not make the false accusation that the ballot boxes had been opened. The police and EC know that the boxes cannot be opened. They can only be opened on polling day on May 9.

“He (Manivanan) had raised the matter intentionally to garner sympathy,” he said at a press conference after launching a programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sg Nipah here.

Ahmad Zahid also hit out at Manivanan who had allegedly said that the Deputy Prime Minister was accorded a grand welcome when his car entered the police station.

“He alleged that I had instructed for such a greeting. I was not at all at the police station as alleged. I was elsewhere. Do not make allegations. We will wait for the investigation,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid also warned Manivanan not to attempt to disunite the people of Bagan Datuk by making slanderous allegations.

“I wish to tell Manivanan that the constituents of Kapar had rejected him and his own party did not want him to contest any seat in Selangor and sent him to Hutan Melintang,” he said.

He also said that those who wanted to campaign in Bagan Datuk should respect the culture and ethics practised in the constituency.

“The people of Bagan Datuk will reject those who make slanderous allegations like these.

“I hope this matter will not be repeated. I will forgive him (Manivanan) this time, it being the first. Do not make slanderous accusations. The BN candidates in Rungkup, Hutan Melintang and Bagan Datuk have never condemned other parties or individuals,” he said.