SG BAKAP BY-ELECTION | Electoral reform group Bersih lodged a report to the MACC over the plan to build two senior citizen centres and a Tamil school in the state constituency.
Bersih communication director Asraf Sharafi Mohd Azhar hammered the announcement by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“The announcement made is problematic because it’s conditional.
“The condition is if the Pakatan Harapan candidate wins the by-election in Sungai Bakap (the promises will be fulfilled by the government),” he said in a press conference at a restaurant in Sungai Bakap, Penang today.
He said the announcement goes against Section 10 of the Election Offences Act whereby any announcement made must not come with any conditions.
Two days ago, Zahid made an appearance in Sungai Bakap as he stumped for his federal government partner in Sungai Kechil to woo the Malay voters within the voting district and made the announcements amidst the ongoing campaign.
PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari accused the BN chairperson of “blatant bribery” and labelled the act as a desperate attempt by the ruling coalition to appeal to voters in the state constituency.
Responding to this, Bersih demanded strict election guidelines to be set up by the Election Commission to ensure these types of offences won’t happen again.
The organisation further said that pork-barrel politics is an obsolete tactic that will not entice the voters to lean towards the government as the people want sincerity in policies that will benefit the masses.
“What voters really want is sincerity in forming and improving policies, enhancing existing policies for the benefit of the people, and not playing politics, especially when such announcements are made just a day or two before the election takes place,” Bersih said.
The Sungai Bakap state seat fell vacant following the death of its incumbent, Nor Zamri Latiff, on May 24.
The by-election is a straight fight between Harapan candidate Joohari Ariffin and PN’s Abidin Ismail.
Polling day is tomorrow. - Mkini
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