PM defends Nga, says announcing pre-approved projects during polls is ok

 

PARLIAMENT | Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has once again come to the defence of Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, who is being criticised for announcing projects coinciding with the Johor state election.

This is regarding Nga’s announcement just two days before nomination day that Putrajaya has allocated RM216.44 million for housing development, public amenities, and community welfare in Johor.

This includes RM2.5 million for renovations and repairs of 10 blocks at Flat Taman Ungku Tun Aminah in Skudai. This announcement was then used as campaign material for DAP’s Skudai candidate, J Kartiyani.

Confronted by Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) in Parliament over the timing of the announcement, Anwar said it was not an election offence, as it had already been approved in the budget tabled last year.

Speaking about the announcement of projects in general, Anwar said he referred to Section 24B of the Election Offences Act and had received confirmation from the Election Commission that only the announcement of new projects is not allowed during campaigns.

However, he said announcing projects before nomination day, as Nga did, is allowed.

“If announcing before nomination day, the rules allow it, it doesn’t breach ethics. What breaches ethics is if there is cursing, insults, and lies; that is the bigger ethical issue,” Anwar told the Dewan Rakyat.

What does the law say?

Section 24B of the Election Offences Act does not touch on inducements and merely covers the conduct of campaigning regarding rallies and campaign materials.

The law does not touch on government projects specifically.

However, Section 10(a) does make it an offence to make offers, promises, or promises to procure any money or valuable consideration to voters, before, after, or during elections.

Regardless, the Election Offences Act is largely toothless as the EC has no power to mete out punishment.

Last year, Nga pulled off a similar stunt just before the Ayer Kuning by-election and was likewise defended by Anwar.

Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming

Meanwhile, the prime minister reiterated that government machinery can’t be used for campaigning, including to announce new projects.

This includes using Felda machinery for campaign purposes, he said.

This was in response to a query from opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) regarding the incident in which Johor caretaker menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi claimed that two weeks ago, he was barred from entering a Felda settlement in Kluang to hand over land grants.

Anwar reiterated that there were no orders barring Onn from entering Felda settlements.

Johor caretaker menteri besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi

“If the (caretaker) state government wants to give land grants, that is up to them, even though he (Onn) knows election rules, but there was no ban. But to use Felda machinery to campaign is not allowed, period,” the prime minister said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously also said there are no directives barring Onn from entering Felda areas. - Mkini