‘Ang pows’ not vote-buying, says Adnan

January 27, 2012

Adnan said there was nothing nefarious about the handouts. — File pic

RAUB, Jan 27 — Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob denied the 1,400 Chinese New Year “red packets” he handed out here were enticement for votes, saying the cash was meant to help the needy during the festive period, Bernama Online report today.

“The money is the excess from the state government’s expenditure allocation from the revenue collected from various sources. The giving of ang pow has nothing to do with the general election.

“The fact is, the state government gives it out during each Chinese New Year celebration,” the Pahang mentri besar was quoted as saying in the report.

“But of course the Barisan Nasional (BN) government hopes for support from the Chinese community to enable it to continue the national development agenda. If you vote for BN, then it will win with a big majority,” Adnan reportedly told the recipients of the “red packets” later.

The report did not specify the amount of money given out in each of the 1,400 packets or in total. It also did not say how the recipients of the money were selected.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is believed to be considering an early general election, after announcing a series of cash handouts in Budget 2012 and having put BN parties on election footing.

But a series of scandals involving members of his Cabinet, most notably the National Feedlot Centre controversy linked to Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil, have taken the shine from Najib’s efforts.

The current administration’s mandate does not expire until April 29, 2013, five years after the first sitting of the 12th Parliament.