SABAH POLLS: AVOID USING 3R ISSUES IN CAMPAIGNING - FAHMI 

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- All parties have been reminded not to exploit issues related to race, religion and royalty (3R) during the 17th Sabah State Election campaign, as doing so could undermine social harmony and unity.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said campaigning on 3R sentiments is a “self-defeating” and unhealthy political strategy.

“We are very concerned about any campaign activity based on 3R issues. This is prohibited. Campaign responsibly.

“Use smart and constructive arguments because we do not want actions that threaten harmony and unity,” he told reporters after visiting the Media Centre for Sabah State Election, here today.

Fahmi was commenting on the ministry’s monitoring of attempts by certain parties to use 3R narratives on social media.

Fahmi said the ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) take all 3R-related complaints seriously and will act on any breach of the law.

In fact, he said MCMC is currently investigating three cases involving the spread of unlawful content during the election period.

“Two cases have been referred to the Deputy Public Prosecutor, while one remains under investigation.

“These cases involve election-period content, but I cannot reveal details as investigations are ongoing. They may not necessarily involve candidates; they could be more general in nature. Even during campaigns, the law still applies,” he said.

On a separate matter, Fahmi, who is also Pakatan Harapan’s Communications Director, was asked about Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal’s allegation that his opponents were using public funds to finance their social media campaign.

“I don’t know what he’s referring to. For Pakatan Harapan, we have no such funds,” he said.

Meanwhile, Fahmi, who is the MADANI Government spokesperson, also reported that telecommunications infrastructure readiness for polling day is satisfactory.

He said 29 polling centres will be equipped with additional Starlink units to ensure stable Wi-Fi access for election personnel, with installation to be completed by Nov 28.

He added that all communication towers are operating well with no major outages reported.

Any disruptions, he said, are typically resolved within several hours.

The Election Commission has set the polling day for Nov 29, with early voting held today.

For the latest on the state polls, visit Bernama’s microsite at  https://prn.bernama.com/sabah/index.php

-- BERNAMA