PETALING JAYA: Candidates running for seats in the 15th General Election in Perak and Kuala Lumpur have been hit by vandalism of their campaign materials over the weekend.
In Ipoh, Barisan Nasional's Pasir Pinji candidate Soo Poh Yeow, whose banners outside the Tow Boh Keong Temple in Ipoh were found partially obscured by Pakatan Harapan banners.
Soo said some constituents informed him about the matter just past midnight on Monday (Nov 14).
"I went to check early in the morning and then did a Facebook Live broadcast at about 10am.
"The lower half of our posters bearing the Barisan logo and a box with a cross inside, denoting a vote was blocked," he said when met at the temple.
"After that (live broadcast), the (Pakatan) banners were (moved). We had asked permission from the temple and put up the posters quite early," he said.
"I think we should campaign and contest in a fair manner, as there's no need for such underhanded methods," he added.
Meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan’s Lembah Pantai candidate Fahmi Fadzil is the second victim to have his billboards and banners destroyed by vandals in Kuala Lumpur.
Previously, vandals defaced the banners and billboards of Harapan’s Segambut’s candidate Hannah Yeoh.
When contacted on Monday (Nov 14), Fahmi said that several banners and billboards were found vandalised in Kg Pasir, Jalan Ara and Jalan Maarof in the city.
“I am perplexed and sad. We have paid the deposit to DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall). We have the right to put it up, so why destroy it? Why resort to archaic forms of expressing yourself. You can express yourself on social media, why do it this way,’’ he said.
“I am proud to say that I have run a non-aggressive campaign so far, it’s been peaceful and gentlemanly,’’ added Fahmi.
The banners were either torn or his images were defaced.
Fahmi had also voiced his frustration on social media and pleaded to the culprits not to resort to such ugly tactics.
