BN, PH should avoid personal attacks in Johor, Negeri Sembilan polls, says Zahid

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan should avoid personal attacks and focus on promoting their respective candidates during the Johor state election campaign, says BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Zahid said both coalitions are committed to preserving harmony within the unity government by adopting a mature approach to campaigning without excessive provocation.

“Among the approaches we have adopted is that we do not attack one another, even though we are contesting the same area,” he said at an event in Kota Tinggi.

“The same approach will apply in Negeri Sembilan, and we will avoid personal or below-the-belt attacks.

“If anyone from either side slips up, we should de-escalate the situation. Most importantly, democracy must be upheld and practised in the best possible manner,” he said.

Zahid also said the winning formula in today’s political landscape is no longer about discrediting opponents, but about highlighting the quality and credibility of a party’s candidates.

He cited BN candidates Dr Naqib Ghazali in Panti and former health minister Dr Adham Baba in Pasir Raja as examples of candidates with strong professional credentials.

“We should promote our respective candidates, such as Dr Naqib and Dr Adham, who are a medical specialist and a former health minister, respectively.

“We should be promoting them rather than attacking other parties or their candidates,” he said.

Zahid said the relationship between BN and PH at the federal level remains strong despite the intense contest in Johor.

“Cooperation between BN and PH is very good, and we remain highly professional.

“We distinguish between national issues, which we handle together as members of the Cabinetm and state-level matters,” he said.

BN and PH are contesting all 56 seats in the Johor state election on July 11. Early polling will take place on July 7.