Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Ahmad Maslan insisted today that the booing of him at the Pontian Umno division annual general meeting last Sunday does not mean the delegates dislike him.

The incident had been an embarrassment for Ahmad, who is the division's deputy chief and also the constituency's MP.

However, Ahmad insisted he still enjoyed support, pointing out that his private secretary and special officer garnered the second and third most votes respectively among seven representatives elected to represent Pontian Umno at the party's annual general assembly at the end of the year.

"If Pontian (Umno) delegates dislike me, then logically, two of my assistants would also have been rejected by delegates," he said in a blog posting.

He added the votes were cast immediately after the conclusion of the Pontian annual general meeting last Sunday.

Ahmad also insisted the booing was started by two individuals who he claimed were not Pontian Umno delegates.

The locals know about me

The booing was caught on video after Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin, who was present as a guest of honour, congratulated Ahmad on his appointment as international trade and industry deputy minister.

Ahmad also said the incident was exaggerated, insisting there was no other instance of booing when his name was announced by the emcee.

"When the emcee announced the names, there was no booing when my name was mentioned and the applause received was no different than when other names were mentioned," he said.

Ahmad added that the people of Pontian know that he is a local born and that he returns to the constituency almost every week to conduct various programmes.

"They know me as Tok Mat who constantly strives to change Pontian for the better.

"The (booing) incident will not deter my spirit.

"Neither will the diatribe and creation on social media and the spinning of my statements, particularly on the goods and services tax," he said.

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