A BN state assemblyperson has denied PKR's allegation that the ruling coalition and the Orang Asli Development Department (Jakoa) has been holding “training sessions” to guide the Orang Asli voters in Tapah, Perak to vote BN.
Ayer Kuning assemblyperson and Tapah BN chairperson Samsudin Abu Hassan told Malay daily Sinar Harian that the programme, which his division organised, was to teach the Orang Asli voters the correct way to cast their ballots.
He explained that it was done after they found that the number of spoilt votes among Orang Asli voters in the last general election were high.
“We never force anybody to vote BN. It is their rights to vote whoever they want. We only taught them the way to mark and cast ballots correctly.
“If they (PKR) want to do it, it is up to them. It is their rights and we think we are being responsible by guiding them on the correct way,” he was quoted as saying.
Ayer Kuning assemblyperson and Tapah BN chairperson Samsudin Abu Hassan told Malay daily Sinar Harian that the programme, which his division organised, was to teach the Orang Asli voters the correct way to cast their ballots.
He explained that it was done after they found that the number of spoilt votes among Orang Asli voters in the last general election were high.
“We never force anybody to vote BN. It is their rights to vote whoever they want. We only taught them the way to mark and cast ballots correctly.
“If they (PKR) want to do it, it is up to them. It is their rights and we think we are being responsible by guiding them on the correct way,” he was quoted as saying.
'PKR can give rice too'
Samsudin also admitted that 5kg of rice was given to each Orang Asli voter, but argued that it was not vote fishing exercise.
Instead the free rice was an ordinary aid to the underprivileged including Orang Asli and ordinary people, he stressed.
“The rice gift was not to fish for votes because we have been giving them assistance to alleviate their burden.
“PKR does not have to be afraid. They also can give. Nobody would stop them,” he added.
Yesterday, Perak Pakatan Rakyat claimed that the programme, organised by Jakoa and an elected representative, was conducted in a series last month in all Orang Asli villages along Jalan Pahang in Tapah to “train” the local Orang Asli to vote for BN.
Samsudin also admitted that 5kg of rice was given to each Orang Asli voter, but argued that it was not vote fishing exercise.
Instead the free rice was an ordinary aid to the underprivileged including Orang Asli and ordinary people, he stressed.
“The rice gift was not to fish for votes because we have been giving them assistance to alleviate their burden.“PKR does not have to be afraid. They also can give. Nobody would stop them,” he added.
Yesterday, Perak Pakatan Rakyat claimed that the programme, organised by Jakoa and an elected representative, was conducted in a series last month in all Orang Asli villages along Jalan Pahang in Tapah to “train” the local Orang Asli to vote for BN.
Illegal exercise?
Participants were given two pieces of paper, which look like mock ballot papers for the Tapah parliamentary constituency and Chenderiang state constituency, and they were then “forced” to vote BN in front of a Jakoa officer and the elected representative, according to Pakatan.
They also alleged that those who voted BN on both the mock ballot papers were then rewarded with 5kg of rice.
Pakatan said this contravenes Section 9 of the Election Offences Act 1954 which deals with interference of the free exercise of a person’s electoral right.
They also argued that printing a mock ballot paper breaches Section 3(j) of the same Act.
Malaysiakini has been making attempts to contact Tapah Jakoa for comments since yesterday.
They also alleged that those who voted BN on both the mock ballot papers were then rewarded with 5kg of rice.Pakatan said this contravenes Section 9 of the Election Offences Act 1954 which deals with interference of the free exercise of a person’s electoral right.
They also argued that printing a mock ballot paper breaches Section 3(j) of the same Act.
Malaysiakini has been making attempts to contact Tapah Jakoa for comments since yesterday.
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