N Sembilan, Johor polls: Free durians, lucky draws prompt Bersih reform call

 

Free durian feasts and lucky draws held during the recent Johor and Negeri Sembilan polls have prompted electoral watchdog Bersih to renew calls for reforms to the Election Offences Act 1954.

With less than 18 months before the next general election, Bersih chairperson Faisal Abdul Aziz said such activities could potentially constitute offences under Section 8, which covers entertainment, and Section 10, which covers bribery.

Speaking at a press conference in Petaling Jaya today, Faisal said Bersih’s monitoring had also identified the use of government programmes and agency services during the election period.

“To ensure that the elections are truly clean and fair, Bersih demands that the Election Commission and the unity government under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership improve several things in the Election Offences Act,” he said.

Faisal said the Act had not been adequately updated for years and should be urgently amended to ensure a level playing field at the next general election.

“Government resources and machinery from public funding should not be used to give an advantage to the ruling party’s candidates,” he said, adding that such use should be made an offence under the Act.

Bersih chairperson Faisal Abdul Aziz

Among the activities identified by Bersih were free health screenings and dental services, financial assistance and allocations, announcements of new development projects, and various forms of aid to local communities, including basic food assistance.

Faisal named the Housing and Local Government Ministry, led by DAP’s Nga Kor Ming, and the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, led by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, among ministries that actively organised programmes and announced allocations during the election period.

“Public welfare and assistance programmes such as Jualan Rahmah and Jualan Agro Madani are also used as spaces for campaign activities.

“Bersih found that there were programmes attended by candidates or politicians from government parties, thus raising questions about programmes that use government resources and facilities to provide political advantages to certain parties,” he said.

Representatives from the Centre for Independent Journalism, Pusat Komas, and Rasuah Busters were also present in support of the call for reform.

Previously, Bersih flagged the alleged misuse of government assets and machinery by both BN and Pakatan Harapan during the Johor election campaign.

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

It also renewed calls for amendments to the Election Offences Act to explicitly prohibit the use of government assets, funds, institutions, and resources to gain an advantage during election campaigns.

Seeking tougher election safeguards

Faisal today also urged Putrajaya to establish a stronger legal framework to address extreme racial politics and digital manipulation during elections.

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“Racial sentiments have even developed into xenophobic sentiments, especially against minority groups, migrant communities, and refugees.

“The development of AI technology adds new challenges when content such as images, videos, audio, and text can be produced or manipulated more easily, quickly, and convincingly,” he added.

Faisal called for the EC’s enforcement powers to be expanded to allow it to issue compounds for election-related offences.

“It is time for Malaysia to move towards a healthier, more mature, and progressive democracy,” he said.

Faisal stressed that the government had no excuse to delay its reform agenda, given that institutional reform had long been a pillar of Harapan’s political struggle.

“There is no longer an issue of time - all that remains is to prioritise. If the government sets real priorities, it can be implemented; there is no problem,” he added. - Mkini