A BN direct candidate has courted controversy when he distributed government aid to underprivileged parents at a school, while asking them to ensure the victory of every BN candidate in the Sarawak state election.
"The chief minister is good, we must support him fully so he rules again.
"(We must ensure) all the BN candidates and BN direct candidates enter (the state legislative assembly)," said Tiong Thai King, the BN direct candidate in Dudong.
He said this to a school hall packed with over 300 parents and children at SJK(C) Thian Hua, Sibu Jaya, some 30 minutes away from Sibu town.
The event Tiong attended, saw a total of 21 families receiving e-Kasih aid, a Federal welfare fund distributed by the state government, while 270 families received aid from the Poor Students' Trust Fund (PSTF) which is an Education Ministry fund.
Tiong is the patron of the school board of directors.
Meanwhile, he also asked the people to support Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who launched the Pan-Borneo Highway, which will shorten the trip between Sibu and Kuching by three hours.
Meanwhile, the school board chairperson, Oliver Kuo, also complained how difficult the development of the school infrastructures was following Tiong's defeat in the 2013 general election.
The school multi-purpose hall extension programme and construction of more toilets were among the development needed to be done in the school, according to him.
Tiong's contribution to education was not limited to this school, but he had helped many schools in Dudong, particularly the rural areas, he noted.
Describing Tiong as the savior of the rural school, he urged the parents to vote for the future of their children.
We're not supposed to be involved
The parents were later told to go downstairs to pick up a gift after the programme concluded, and were given a pack of instant noodles each on their way home.
Three school clerks were seen downstairs distributing noodles to the parents.
Two of them were clad in Education Ministry uniform bearing thegovernment logo.
"This (instant noodles) were not given by the government. We only help out, we are not supposed to get involved," said a man in a light blue uniform.
"The party, UPP, is supposed to give out (noodles), the UPP should give," claimed another woman.
"UPP asked (us to help)," she said while handling out the noodles to parents.
"We are the clerks here, we are from Education Ministry," she said.
Tiong did not provide a direct answer when asked if schools that are supposed to be free of politics, should be used for campaigning.
"You can assess for yourself," he said curtly when approached later.
Deputy Education Minister Chong Sin Woon told Malaysiakini that he will check with the state education department.
"I will first understand the situation (and contact) the state education department," he texted.
He was asked if the school can be used to spread political propaganda and if education officers can be used to distribute political party goodies.
The incumbent DAP Dudong state assemblyperson, Yap Hoi Liong, has likened Tiong's actions as akin to electoral bribery.
Tiong should not distribute the government aid when he is not part of the ruling party following the dissolution of the state legislative assembly, he said.
He alleged that Tiong was trying to influence the voters.
"I want the Election Commission and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to probe the matter," he said. -Mkini
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