GE15: leave behind personal barbs, campaign civilly, says Labuan BN candidate

LABUAN – The Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for Labuan, Datuk Bashir Alias, is hoping that the 15th general election (GE15) campaigning will be carried out in a “civilised” manner without personal attacks and slander.

He said Labuan only has one parliamentary seat, and personal attacks and slander during the campaign period only serves to disrupt the unity among the various races on the island, which is a tax haven.

“Let us campaign in an orderly manner and not choose to launch personal attacks and slander,” he said.

“For me, the people of Labuan are mature enough to judge all this, which only aims to bring down someone’s good name,” he told reporters after returning from receiving his GE15 candidate letter.

Bashir is expected to face Datuk Rozman Isli (Warisan), and other candidates from Bersatu, Parti Bumiputera Malaysia, and Pakatan Harapan.

Meanwhile, Bashir, who is Umno division chief as well as Labuan BN chairman, said young voters aged 18 and above can be decisive factors for the victory of any candidate in GE15.

“From the electoral roll, we see an increase in the number of voters exceeding 50%, and if the percentage of young voters is high, it will certainly be decisive for the victory of certain candidates,” he said.

This time, the Labuan BN manifesto is in line with the BN central manifesto, giving focus on economic development and the people’s welfare.

Bashir also said the BN machinery has been preparing for GE15 since BN fell in GE14.

“All the BN machinery, especially from Umno, has gone down to the field with the people to deal with their various problems,” he added.

Labuan now has 44,484 voters compared to 28,356 in GE14. – Bernama, November 3, 2022