Not bribing voters, but BN is a better choice, says Ismail Sabri

Umno minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob says PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar misinterpreted his remark about not granting approvals for agriculture-related projects. ‘This is her interpretation. She is not a lawyer,’ he says. – The Malaysian Insider pic, May 2, 2015. 

Umno minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said his remark about not granting approvals for agriculture-related projects if PKR won the Permatang Pauh by-election was not election "bribery" but was made as it was easier for voters to get help from a Barisan Nasional minister than from a Pakatan Rakyat (PR) representative.

Defending himself from allegations of bribery by PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, Ismail who is agriculture and agro-based industries minister said the PR lawmaker was not a lawyer to know whether he was really committing bribery.

"This is her interpretation. She is not a lawyer.

"In actual fact, I was making comparisons between Barisan Nasional and the opposition representatives. It is easier to seek help from a BN representative than through one from the opposition," he told The Malaysian Insider today.

Nurul Izzah said that Ismail's statement, made while campaigning for the BN in the Permatang Pauh by-election, was akin to bribery under the Election Act 1954.

Ismail said Nurul Izzah was only interpreting the law herself.

In a speech yesterday evening while campaigning in the Kuala Mengkuang polling district, Ismail told voters that his ministry would reject applications for agricultural funds and projects if Pakatan Rakyat (PR) wins the parliamentary by-election, to be held on May 7.

He said only the BN's candidate, newcomer Suhaimi Sabudin, would be able to bring constituency issues to the Parliament. 

"This is an agricultural area. I will surely approve if it is Suhaimi who is making the applications.

"If it is (PKR's president and candidate Datuk Seri Dr) Wan Azizah (Wan Ismail), she will not even get past my office lobby.

"There is no reason for me to see her. She is from the opposition," Ismail said.

Defending his statement, Ismail said PR representatives never asked for help from a BN minister.

Based on that, he said, it is better for Permatang Pauh voters to choose BN to ensure easier access to government aid.

"Usually, opposition representatives will not ask for help from BN ministers. Maybe this is is due to their egos and in the end, it is the voters who suffer.

"Since I have been a minister, not a single opposition representative has seen me to ask for help on behalf of their constituents although we often meet in Parliament.

"So I want to stress here, if you want to choose a good representative, choose one who can help. Choose a BN candidate," he told The Malaysian Insider.

He also said PR leaders liked to find fault in others and forgot what they themselves have done.

- TMI