Give complaint in writing, EC to Orang Asli

EC is willing to look into Orang Asli's claim that their names were removed from the electoral list.

PETALING JAYA: Indigenous settlers in Tapah who claimed their names were removed from the electoral roll need to send a letter to the Election Commission (EC) to enable investigations to be conducted.

An EC officer, who declined to be named, said today that a formal letter containing the full names and Identity Card (IC) numbers of those involved must be submitted before the commission can start investigations.

“Give us a letter and we will conduct an investigation based on the particulars given,” she told FMT.

The officer was responding to indigenous settlers of Kuala Woh, Tapah, who alleged their names were removed from the electoral roll despite confirmation of their eligibility to vote.

Fifty villagers from Kampung Batu 7, Kampung Sungai Kebdrong, Kampung Puswoh and Kampung Enpang claimed that they were prevented from leaving their respective villages on polling day by Rela personnel and BN members.

A settler, Balali, further claimed that roadblocks were set up, preventing the villagers from leaving the village on polling day.

Meanwhile, the PKR candidate for the Tapah seat K Vasantha Kumar said today that Gombak MP Azmin Ali will raise the issue in parliament.

Vasantha Kumar reiterated that those allowed into polling stations to vote were allegedly bribed by BN officials.

“We have gathered all the evidence of bribery. Throughout the campaign, BN had been giving out rice and cooking materials in a plastic bag for a return vote for BN,” he claimed.

“I was also told by the Orang Asli that some received RM300 a head to vote for BN,” he added.

When asked if any police report had been lodged so far, Vasantha Kumar lamented the settlers were “scared”.

“No police report has been made so far because now they are too scared to come out,” he said.

“But we are still persuading them and I will keep doing so. They need to know that it is okay (to report).”

Vasantha Kumar has already filed an election petition to challenge the election result.

He had also lodged six police reports throughout the campaign period on threats received by his assistants.

Vasantha Kumar lost the Tapah parliamentary seat to incumbent, MIC’s M Saravanan by 7,927 votes.