EC closing eyes on BN’s feudal overlords

Lim Guan Eng calls for the resignation of the Election Commission members as they fail to uphold the law.

PETALING JAYA: Election Offences Act 1954 clearly states that a person involved in certain activities that may influence voters is guilty of vote buying and bribery, whether done directly or indirectly, reaffirmed Lim Guan Eng, the Bagan MP and DAP secretary-general today.

“Although the EC does not have enforcement power to punish those who violate the act, their inaction has caused the BN leaders to act like feudal overlords spreading largesse only during by-election,” said Lim in a press release today.

Media reports recently stated that Umno Wanita chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil had visited a single mother’s house in Taman Semarak, Teluk Intan with RM500 cash and pampers for her child, in return asking support for BN.

Shahrizat, however, denied the accusation of bribery and instead justified her visit as part of her duty as National Welfare Foundation chairperson.

Meanwhile Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran had also accused BN of giving out hampers worth about RM150 each to families in the Nova Scotia Estate in Teluk Intan on May 22.

“Not too long ago, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told Rela members that they would get new uniforms if BN wins.

“In a shocking and unacceptable response, EC chairman Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf said that there was nothing wrong with Zahid’s statement as the Umno vice-president had not violated any election regulations,” said Lim.

Lim also highlighted other actions which he deemed as practising money politics, such as the promise made by Communications and Multimedia Minister, Ahmad Shabery Cheek to improve the local constituency’s broadband and Federal Territory Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor’s promise to the local Indian community a crematorium and a wedding hall if BN wins the Teluk Intan by-election.

Lim criticised the EC for not condemning BN in enticing the voters with promises of goodies in return for votes favouring the BN candidate, and thus called for the resignation of EC members.

“Even if EC has no enforcement powers, the EC should uphold and not violate the law by condemning such vote-buying,” stressed Lim.

“Pakatan Rakyat has demanded that the EC members resign from their posts because of their utter failure to uphold the law without fear orfavour. EC’s role as a BN apologist only reinforces PR’s demands,” said Lim.

The Teluk Intan by-election on May 31 will see a straight fight between Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong and DAP’s Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud.

The election was triggered after its incumbent, DAP’s Seah Leong Pong succumbed to cancer on May 1.

The Elections Commission will open 36 polling centres, one for early voting. Teluk Intan comprises 38.61 % Malay voters, 41.94% Chinese, 19% Indians, and 0.22 % others.