IPOH: Despite receiving a threatening WhatsApp message, the Barisan Nasional candidate for the Hulu Kinta state seat is campaigning as usual.
Datuk Mazlan Abd Rahman said he was in high spirits and would continue his struggles for the community.
Mazlan said he received a message on his mobile on Thursday from an unknown person who demanded RM300,000 from him.
“I don’t have that kind of money in the first place.
“The message stated that if I fail to pay up, my image will be tarnished and my personal matters will be exposed on social media,” he said during his walkabout in Tambun town yesterday.
Hulu Kinta is a state seat under the Tambun parliamentary seat.
Mazlan said his lawyer advised him to lodge a police report, which he did at about 12.50pm on Thursday.
“I have been in politics for the past 28 years and I will not be shaken by such threats.
“Throughout my campaign, I have not bad-mouthed anyone or any candidate. In fact, the opponents are my friends and I greet them nicely.
“People know the services I provide for them in the constituency,” he added.
Mazlan said he would leave it to the police to investigate the matter, and he would continue his clean and healthy campaigning.
“If they want me to pull out, that is not happening,” he said.
Earlier, Perak police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri confirmed that a Barisan candidate had received a threat.
He said the victim was told to pay RM300,000, failing which a smear campaign would be launched against him.
“The case is being investigated under Section 385 of the Penal Code for extortion,” he said.
Comm Mohd Yusri advised all politicians not to engage in any sort of extortion or threat.
“If found guilty, one can be jailed for seven years, fined or whipped.”
“The public is also urged not to spread unverified news,” he added.