Melaka:Melaka Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Adly Zahari has condemned a statement by UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan as slander. Ahmad Maslan claimed that top Democratic Action Party (DAP) leaders are not awarded honorary titles like 'Datuk' due to their stance on the institution of the Malay Rulers.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Adly, who also serves as Amanah vice-president, stated that the allegation was an attempt to discredit PH during the ongoing campaign for the 16th Melaka State Election. He dismissed the claim as baseless, noting that several DAP leaders received honorary titles during PH's time in government, including in Melaka.

Adly highlighted that prominent DAP leader Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang was among those who received a title. He also mentioned that some UMNO leaders, such as Tun Ghafar Baba, were conferred titles posthumously. The allegation, according to Adly, is unfounded and intended to undermine PH.

During an election campaign in Kampung Lendu Dalam, Ahmad, who is also the Deputy Works Minister, alleged that DAP leaders are reluctant to accept honorary titles due to their unwillingness to acknowledge the position and institution of the Malay Rulers. He also cited ideological differences between UMNO and DAP, particularly regarding the secular state concept and the position of Islam in the Federal Constitution.

The Election Commission (EC) has scheduled this Saturday as polling day for the 16th Melaka State Election, with 687,697 registered voters expected to participate.