Probe Warisan for lucky draw prizes of cars, motorbikes, Umno tells EC

Umno information chief Shamsul Anuar Nasarah addresses a ceramah at the Batu 6 polling district in Kimanis yesterday.

KIMANIS: Umno wants the Election Commission (EC) to probe Warisan for an alleged election offence after it gave out lucky draw prizes consisting of cars and motorcycles.

Umno information chief Shamsul Anuar Nasarahl claimed Warisan had given out the items during a Christmas and New Year celebration at Membakut, near here, yesterday.

“We were made to understand that during the programme, Warisan prepared lucky draw prizes consisting of 50 motorcycles and three cars for lucky draw winners.

“We call on the EC to investigate and take action because this is in breach of the election rules,” he said during a ceramah at the Batu 6 polling district here yesterday.

Shamsul said there was nothing wrong with the celebration itself but the giving away of such prizes to constituents here during an election campaign period was illegal.

He said Warisan must respect the law to demonstrate its integrity as the ruling government.

“If you don’t respect the law, then how can you to administer?

“We hope the EC will be transparent. Action must be taken and rules observed to safeguard the integrity and institution of an election,” he said.

Shamsul also criticised Warisan president Shafie Apdal for telling constituents not to vote BN into power again as it was a peninsula-based party, and accusing BN of not bringing substantial development to Sabah when it was in power.

“He said there are people still without homes, he has no right to say this.

“During his stint as (rural and regional development) minister under BN, Shafie had more than RM34.8 billion in allocations, the second highest after the Prime Minister’s Department. So why didn’t he implement the projects? Why were there a lot of issues then?” he asked.

He said Shafie was the only Sabahan leader elevated to be a senior minister in the federal Cabinet then.

“Shafie was in charge of a crucial ministry responsible for developing infrastructure and eradicating poverty. He had important agencies such as Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority (Risda) and Felcra under him.

“He was given the responsibility but did not carry it out properly. What he said is all rhetoric.”

Shafie had, after nominations closed yesterday, called on voters in Kimanis to ensure victory for Warisan “so BN could never rise again in Sabah”. - FMT