She questioned the fairness in “punishing” other leaders who have been earnestly fulfilling their duties to spur economic growth, not only for Kluang but also for the rest of the country, due to the actions of one person.

“I understand that there are some among the Chinese community who are unhappy with a statement made by a leader (from Umno), but he is just one leader.

“We have many other leaders who want to develop Johor together, including our candidate, Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah,” she told a press conference here today.

Yesterday, Johor Umno chief and menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi said he had received reports from the business community that Chinese voters in Mahkota were not really interested in casting their ballots in the by-election.

A low turnout among the Chinese would be akin to them punishing him because of federal issues, he said, without elaborating on any specific issue.

Chinese voters in Mahkota comprise 34% of the 66,318 electorate.

Syed Hussien of Umno is in a straight fight against Perikatan Nasional’s Haizan Jaafar of Bersatu in the by-election.

While Teo did not single out any particular leader, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh and DAP vice-chairman Teresa Kok were recently at loggerheads over the proposal for mandatory halal certification.

Kok had criticised a proposal to make halal certification a requirement for restaurants that do not serve pork or alcohol, saying it could impose a significant burden on small businesses, restrict consumer freedom and clash with Malaysia’s cultural diversity.

This led to Akmal branding the Seputeh MP an “old nyonya lady” and said she should not interfere in Islamic matters, particularly regarding the halal certification proposal.

Kok has since sued Akmal for defamation.