UMNO Secretary-General Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has dismissed claims that the recent TVET MARA Roadshow in Johor was used as a platform for political campaigning, insisting the event was solely aimed at promoting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) opportunities to young people.
Asyraf, who is also MARA Chairman, said Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi merely introduced the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate who was present at the programme and did not campaign on behalf of the coalition.
According to him, the TVET MARA Roadshow is a nationwide initiative that has been held across Malaysia, with the Johor event marking the programme’s 108th series.
“It just so happened that the candidate attended the event, and the Menteri Besar only introduced him. Young people are intelligent enough not to be influenced by any political party simply because they attended a TVET MARA programme,” he said.
He stressed that the programme did not feature any political party logos, party attire or campaign slogans, adding that its main objective was to provide youths with information about education and career opportunities through TVET.
Asyraf made the remarks after meeting residents at Kampung Gelang Chincin on Tuesday. Also present was Barisan Nasional’s Buloh Kasap state by-election candidate, Datuk Zahari Sarip.
He also rejected allegations that students were forced to attend the programme, saying participation was entirely voluntary. Feedback received from participants, he added, has been positive, with many expressing hope that similar programmes will continue in the future.
