KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — A group said to be supporters of jailed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak were reported to have caused a commotion that disrupted a Perikatan Nasional (PN) election speech last night in Simpang Pelangai, Pahang ahead of polling for the state by-election today.
The incident occurred about 10.30 last night when some 15 youths wearing white T-shirts emblazoned with Najib’s photo gathered in front of the ceramah venue, news portal Malaysiakini reported.
According to the news portal, the group held up a placard with the words “Ingat Jasa Najib” (remember Najib's contributions) on them while former two-time prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was speaking to some 1,000 people.
The news portal cited Bersatu Youth information chief Ashraf Mustaqim Badrul Munir who was at the scene saying the group turned rowdy after PN supporters old them to leave.
Ashraf Mustaqim told the news portal that the demonstrators could have been triggered by Dr Mahathir’s remarks about Najib.
Malaysiakini also reported that several police officers who had been monitoring the ceramah then intervened and detained the demonstrators.
Polling centres for the Pelangai by-election opened at 8am today without incident so far.
The three candidates competing to be the next assemblyman are: Datuk Amizar Abu Adam from Barisan Nasional, Kasim Samat from PN, and independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli.
The by-election was called following the death of its elected representative Datuk Seri Johari Harun in a plane crash in Shah Alam, Selangor on August 17.
