With the Semenyih by-election starting tomorrow (2nd February), Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional (BN), Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), and an independent candidate are all making their final campaigning rounds in the last effort to win the people’s votes.
Just last night (28th February) at around 10.30pm, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad made an appearance at Tesco Semenyih to campaign for PH candidate Muhammad Aiman Zainali. Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and the party’s Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman were also present at this event.
During his speech, the Prime Minister began to criticise former prime minister Najib Tun Razak’s use of the now viral term, ‘bossku‘, calling it a term only “slaves” used to address their “bosses”. He mentioned that the term ‘boss’ was used by the victims of the transatlantic slave trade, where millions of Africans were taken to countries in the Americas and became enslaved. He was quoted by the Malay Mail as saying,
“At that time, the black people were enslaved by the whites and what do the slaves call their owners? They call them ‘boss’. So when we say ‘bossku’, it means you are equating yourself (to) a slave.”
Tun Dr Mahathir also added that he did not understand how someone facing money laundering charges could be referred to as “boss”, saying that those who support him are also thieves.
Dr Mahathir pours scorn on ex pm Najib’s “bossku” campaign . Those who support him are thieves themselves he said .
Dr Mahathir is speaking in Semenyih tonight to rally support for Bersatu candidate . pic.twitter.com/1iTaH7vPdv— Melissa Goh (@MelGohCNA) February 28, 2019
During his campaign, the Prime Minister also commented on the Semenyih candidate, saying that despite his young age, he would be backed by many senior leaders in the coalition. He was quoted by The Star as saying,
“Although he is young, he has the backing of many leaders – many old leaders, the oldest being a 93-year-old who cannot stop talking.”
Muhammad Aiman Zainali is reportedly running against Zakaria Hanafi (BN), Nik Aziz Afiq Abdul (PSM), and Kuan Chee Heng (independent candidate) in tomorrow’s by-election.
If you or anyone you know will be voting in the Semenyih by-election this 2nd March, be sure to check where your polling station is located before heading out to vote. Let’s hope this by-election runs smoothly and fairly!
Also read: Syed Saddiq Gets Chased & Called ‘Babi’ by Angry BN Supporters at Semenyih’s By-Election Nomination