JOHOR BY-ELECTIONS | An election observer from Bersih has lodged a police report today against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi over alleged offences while on the campaign trail for Pakatan Harapan’s Pulai candidate.
Speaking to reporters outside Johor Bahru Selatan district police station, Bersih chairperson Thomas Fann said the alleged offence was observed during Zahid's speech on Sept 3 at Melana Indah People's Housing Project in Perling, one of two state seats under the Pulai parliamentary constituency.
"He (Zahid) basically said to voters that he has been handed a stack of requests from (Johor housing exco) Jafni (Md Shukor), a request to build some houses, projects in the area.
"Then he said it’s not a problem at all for him to approve all these things, but it will depend on how the voters in that area vote for the (Harapan) candidate Suhaizan Kaiat.
"If Suhaizan doesn't win, then maybe they will reconsider, that's what he said," claimed Fann (above, right), who referred to an excerpt from Zahid's speech published by a news portal.
He, however, conceded that there were no Bersih observers present on site when Zahid delivered his speech.
Following the report, Fann said police should summon Zahid for questioning over possible breaches of the Election Offences Act 1954 under Section 9 and Section 10, on undue influence and bribery.
He noted that Bersih, as accredited observers, had during past elections lodged other police reports but it was "very rare" for any to be charged.
"It is our hope that the newly appointed attorney-general will look seriously into this matter and if there are offences committed, he should charge Zahid in court.
"But, of course, everyone is innocent until proven guilty and it has to go through due process," he said.
'Not targeting Zahid'
Fann insisted that the police report lodged today was not Bersih's move to target Zahid, after the Umno president was granted a dismissal not amounting to an acquittal over his 47 corruption charges.
Fann said the two matters were unrelated, and that Bersih's observations of Zahid's recent speech had revealed elements of possible bribery or undue influence.
"There is no basis to say we're targeting Zahid.
"Anybody in this campaign violating the law, we will report them," he added.
The Election Commission has set Sept 9 as polling day for both the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections. - Mkini
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