Tanah Rata assemblyman Chong Yoke Kong said he was informed of the matter by a former secretary of the state village development and security committee (JKKK) last night.
“When I asked why, the JKKK said it was due to the political nature of the event.
“I told him this reason was not acceptable. But when I asked further, he said he was pressured by a superior authority not to rent the multipurpose hall to us,” he told reporters at a press conference in Tringkap.
Chong added that this was not the first time DAP was organising an event in the area.
“In 2013, we held an event here, and we were an opposition party at the time. We have also held many other activities for festivities here,” he said, adding that the hall in question was one of the only multipurpose halls available in Tringkap.
He said no one should be prevented from using the hall as it had been built for the public.
“This hall was built using funds collected from the locals. It is not private property. DAP members were also contributors.”
He added that the fundraising dinner would have to be relocated to another hall in Kampung Raja, some 8km away.
“We have sold 55 tables and are likely to receive more responses tomorrow,” he said.
Pakatan Harapan candidate M Manogaran said he was disappointed that such things could still happen in the “New Malaysia”.
“When we were campaigning as an opposition party, we experienced this as well – multipurpose halls which we rented suddenly could not be used due to last-minute renovations or double bookings.
“We really don’t wish for these kinds of things to happen anymore,” he said, adding that many of those attending the dinner were senior citizens who could not travel very far.
He also questioned on what authority the JKKK had issued the order.
The Cameron Highlands by-election is the fifth to be called after the May 9 polls last year.
Manogaran from DAP will take on Barisan Nasional candidate Ramli Mohd Nor and independent candidates Wong Seng Yee and Sallehudin Ab Talib.
Polling is slated for Jan 26.