Children are not voters – nothing wrong with coupon handout, says Streram

The recent handout of free food coupons to underprivileged children in five schools in Rantau was completely unrelated to the upcoming by-election says Pakatan Harapan candidate Dr S Streram.

Miri MP Michael Teo's contributions were a personal choice, Streram told Malaysiakiniwhen contacted over Bersih allegations that Teo had committed an electoral offence by handing out the coupons to 300 children in five schools in Rantau.

"It has nothing to do with the election, it is his (Teo's) personal contribution, school children are not voters," he said.

"In my opinion, this is not an offence because this took place prior to the (March 30) nomination day," he said.

Bersih's criticism came after Teo (pictured above with Streram) reportedly handed out free food coupons to approximately 300 pupils from five schools with each pupil receiving donations ranging from RM50 to RM150.

Streram said that Teo's intention to help the pupils were genuine.

"As a parliamentarian, he has taken an interest in poor students and he came all the way from Miri to help the students," he said.

He added that Teo was using his personal money to fund a programme which the lawmaker first initiated in Miri and planned to introduce nationwide.

The Rantau PKR coordinator said he and Teo have known each other for a long time and he personally asked Teo to expand his free food coupon programme to Rantau when they met each other during the PKR congress in November 2018.

"The last time we met, I asked him that if he can afford it, why not implement it in Rantau," he said.

"This is a necessity as schools will be re-opened next Monday," said Streram in explaining the timing of the handout. - Mkini