KIMANIS POLLS | Tourism and Culture Minister Mohammadin Ketapi yesterday announced a RM50,000 allocation to upgrade the facilities of a school in the Kimanis parliamentary constituency.
This came after Papar District Officer Ghulam Rasul Hapil openly asked for a donation to repair or upgrade SMK Bongawan II where Cuti-Cuti Malaysia roadshow is being held between Jan 10 and Jan 12.
"The district officer asked me for an allocation to the school. I requested the principal to send me a letter, and I approved the RM50,000 of allocation in advance.
"The advantage of us being in power is we can directly approve money or anything that is requested by the people, and we don't have to scratch our heads looking for money," he said when launching the roadshow last night.
At a press conference later, he said the allocation is meant for the school to upgrade its football field and hall.
Mohamaddin said he saw no issue in giving the allocation to the school as the students are not eligible voters in the Kimanis by-election.
As for the voters, he said it is up to them whether they wanted to support Warisan.
He said this is definitely not an election offence.
"If it is an offence, why would Umno give projects and money to the people during election time?
"I mean what is that? They can do it? We cannot do it ?" he said.
Mohamaddin also recalled how he came under fire and forced to apologise and withdrew the RM80,000 allocation for the rehabilitation of a local hall in Semenyih during the Semenyih by-election in February 2019.
Back then, he had said he withdrew the allocation after finding out the move contravened the Election Offences Act 1954 (under) the Election Commission.
Yesterday, Mohamaddin, however, said he failed to see why his intention to help people could be perceived badly and end up as an offence.
"I think this would be very detrimental to the people (I intended to help during the poll)," he said.
The tourism roadshow also offered lucky draws such as flight tickets and electrical products.
People who clicked 'like' in Tourism Malaysia Sabah's Facebook page would be entitled to lucky draw prizes and the result would be announced 2pm daily.
Mohamaddin said the schedule of the Cuti-Cuti Malaysia roadshow was set before the date of the Kimanis poll was announced.
He said the ministry decided to continue with the roadshow as it was not a political event.
"It has nothing to do with the by-election. Can you classify the lucky draws as bribery or an offence? I don't think so," he said.
The ongoing Kimanis poll will Warisan's Karim Bujang faced off against BN's Mohamad Alamin at the semi-rural seat of 29,644 voters.
The by-election is set on Jan 18. - Mkini
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