MALACCA POLLS | A motorcycle engine oil change programme organised by Perikatan Nasional in Machap Jaya has raised questions on whether it is an electoral offence.
However, PN’s Machap Jaya candidate Tai Siong Jiul brushed off such concerns, saying he didn’t pay for it.
“My election office arranged this. Some friend gave some sponsorship for the programme,” he told Malaysiakini when met at the programme today.
Prodded further, Tai - who is a Bersatu associate member - said he only showed up for the programme.
“I’m not the one giving out (engine oil). They arranged it so I came.
“I was made to understand that I didn’t pay for it. If it’s bribery I would have paid. Did you see me pay? I did not pay,” he said.
One of Tai’s assistants then interjected and said the candidate was not filled in on the financial aspect of the programmes he attends - including a dinner talk with entrepreneurs at a restaurant in Machap Jaya tonight.
However, when Malaysiakini asked an assistant at the workshop who was paying for the engine oil change, they indicated it was someone in Tai’s team.
The assistant said each engine oil change is worth RM15.
Some 50 motorcyclists were said to have benefited from the engine oil change programme according to Tai.
Giving gifts - even on someone’s behalf - is an election offence according to Section 10(c) of the Election Offences Act.
PN candidates had just yesterday signed a pledge not to be involved in corruption.
Asked about this, Tai said that he held firm to the pledge.
“The pledge is on corruption if there’s a project, or abuse of power, this will not happen in the future,” he said. - Mkini
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