Kuala lumpur: Governance and integrity should be the key considerations for voters when choosing their leaders in the 16th Negeri Sembilan polls to ensure the nation's key institutions are not further undermined by corruption and abuse of power, said Pakatan Harapan (PH) communications director Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi emphasized the importance of these values by referencing the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) on Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH). He noted that the issue should serve as a lesson, highlighting the damaging consequences of weak governance and abuse of power. Although the official RCI report submitted to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong did not employ colloquial terms such as 'sakau' (to loot or embezzle), it clearly revealed acts of corruption and misappropriation.
'Of course, the RCI report presented to His Majesty does not use the word 'sakau' because it is an official report, but it clearly reveals that corrupt practices took place,' Fahmi stated during a PH ceramah (talks) in the Senaling state constituency. The commission's findings have been submitted to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for further action.
Also present at the event was PH's Senaling state seat candidate, Mohd Hanis Alimin, who will face Mohamad Qayyum Abd Jalil of Barisan Nasional and Mohd Izaffi Istear Khan of Bersatu in a three-cornered contest. Fahmi, who also serves as Communications Minister, elaborated on the RCI report, explaining that its release had previously been deferred to allow time for the restructuring and financial recovery of TH. This move was critical to prevent panic or an erosion of confidence among depositors that could have triggered large-scale withdrawals.
He urged voters in Negeri Sembilan to exercise greater caution when casting their ballots, emphasizing the importance of choosing candidates who are sincere, hardworking, and have integrity. 'Choose the wrong leaders, and you risk damaging our assets, our state and our country,' he warned.
On Saturday, 867,151 ordinary voters are expected to cast their ballots to elect new state representatives, with 103 candidates contesting 36 state seats.