Bersih flags fresh claims of govt asset misuse in Johor polls

 

Bersih has condemned the alleged misuse of government assets and machinery during the ongoing Johor election campaign, saying both BN and Pakatan Harapan must be held accountable.

The electoral watchdog's steering committee said it had documented and verified several incidents between July 1 and 7 involving both coalitions.

"The misuse of government assets and machinery has become a political culture that cuts across party lines.

"Therefore, there is no question of who is more guilty or blaming each other; both (BN and Harapan) are doing the same thing and they must be held accountable," it said in a statement today.

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Among the incidents cited were:

• A video purportedly showing Harapan's Puteri Wangsa candidate Maszlee Malik campaigning at Sultan Ismail Health Clinic on July 1;

• A July 4 programme at a technical and vocational education and training (Tvet) college, where caretaker menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi allegedly urged students to vote for BN, with Bersih claiming some students were required to attend;

• Government programmes attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi alongside BN candidates, including Risda Agro Majestic and GEMA@KKDW events on July 4;

• An event attended by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on July 5 that featured MCMC-organised lucky draws, free health screenings, dental scaling and a durian feast, which Bersih said could breach Section 10 of the Election Offences Act 1954;

• A Mega Agro Madani sale and Johor-level Mara Tvet launch on July 6 attended by Zahid and BN candidates; and

• A state election dialogue organised by the Johor Information Department on July 7, where Bersih alleged several government agencies had been instructed to attend despite Onn declining to debate Maszlee.

The group urged all relevant authorities, including the MACC and Election Commission, to investigate the allegations and take appropriate follow-up action.

"Bersih also reiterates its stance that government assets, funds, programmes, and institutions cannot be used to give an advantage to any party and candidate contesting.

"Failure to address this issue will further undermine the people's confidence in the integrity and fairness of the electoral process," it said.

Malaysiakini has contacted BN election director Zambry Abdul Kadir and his PKR counterpart Amirudin Shari for responses.

Not the first time

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Last month, Bersih raised concerns over the alleged misuse of government assets by state and federal administrations ahead of the Johor polls.

It highlighted several recent incidents, including:

• RTM’s broadcast of a Harapan ceramah on June 15;

• The distribution of 3,000 free RM50 Komuter Madani Shuttle Selatan cards announced by Transport Minister Anthony Loke on June 16;

• The launch of the Johor Economic Transformation Plan by Onn on June 18, and

• The statewide distribution of “Bakul Kasih Johor” aid packages.

While acknowledging that such initiatives may benefit the public, Bersih said their rollout during the election period raised serious concerns about the fairness of the contest.

At the time, the group had renewed its call for amendments to the Election Offences Act, arguing that provisions should be expanded to explicitly prohibit the use of government assets, funds, institutions, and resources to gain an advantage during election campaigns. - Mkini