PETALING JAYA: Bersih 2.0 today accused Pakatan Harapan of abusing its powers after a minister handed out grants to village leaders in Tanjung Piai, ahead of a by-election in the Johor federal constituency next month.
The electoral watchdog said ministers should not make official trips to a constituency that has been declared vacant.
“Official ministerial visits and functions to the constituency facing a by-election should cease the moment the speaker of Dewan Rakyat or state assemblies declared the seat vacant.
“No government resources like public funds, facilities, staff and vehicles should be deployed by ministers and deputy ministers who are campaigning as party leaders, with the exception of assigned vehicles and personnel for their security.”
It was reported earlier that Rural Development Minister Rina Harun presented financial grants to 23 representatives of the Village Community Management Council in Tanjung Piai, which goes to the polls on Nov 16.
Bersih said although there is currently no law to stop ruling politicians from using state resources in an election campaign, distributing handouts is a violation of the principles of free and fair elections.
It said this happened in the absence of a separation between ruling political parties and the government. - FMT
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