“There was no compulsion. It was up to him to read the text. It’s his right,” he told reporters when pressed on the issue after a ceramah in Beranang here.

Aleh Abdullah earlier told reporters that a speech he delivered at the event in Kampung Sungai Lalang Baru, which was attended by Muhyiddin and Sepang MP Hanipa Maidin, was prepared for him by one “Cik Dollah”, whom he identified as an officer of the Department of Orang Asli Development (Jakoa).

“He wrote it, I just followed,” the 53-year-old tok batin said.

During his speech, Aleh appeared to be lost for words, before he took out a piece of paper from his pocket and continued speaking.

Aleh had also told reporters that Pakatan Harapan would organise a programme on Tuesday to distribute hampers to villagers.

Muhyiddin denied that the event would take place.

“That is just an assumption,” he said.

The Election Commission has warned all four candidates in the Semenyih by-election to abide by election laws, including to refrain from programmes seen as vote-buying.