The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0) has received a poster about an event that will treat attendants with 1000 durian from Batu Kurau, Perak in conjunction with the launch of KOHIJRAH food truck and Cooperation Shop De’Variety. The event will be held on 28 July 2018 and the location will be at No. 44 & 46, Jalan Sungai Rasau E32/E, Berjaya Park, Berjaya Park, Section 32, Shah Alam. The event falls exactly within the constituency and campaign period of Sungai Kandis by-election.
Moreover, in the poster of the event, it is announced that the Parti Keadilan Rakyat candidate for the by-election, Zawawi Ahmad Mughni and the chief minister of Selangor YAB Amirudin bin Shari will attend the event.
BERSIH 2.0 condemns such corrupt practices, as, if held, is tantamount to an offence under Section 8 of the Election Offences Act for treating to influence voting behaviour of voters.
Moreover, according to the poster, the event is being organised by KOHIJRAH, which is a consolidation of microcredit program under the Chief Minister of Selangor, launched officially in 2015 as an initiative to increase the middle class in Selangor. By having KOHIJRAH to organise an event, it is not only a conflict of interest, the event is a form of abuse of government machinery to campaign in favour of Zawawi Ahmad Mughni, a PKR candidate, and also a component party of the ruling coalition in Selangor, Pakatan Harapan.
BERSIH 2.0 calls for the event to be cancelled immediately. The Selangor Chief Minister and the PKR candidate, Zawawi Ahmad Mughny should also provide a public explanation of the event. If this event is not cancelled and such trends continue in the campaign, then MACC should investigate and take action, in line with Sections 3 and 7 of the MACC Act.
We call on all parties to refrain from the practice of electoral fraud, including personation, treating of food, undue influence through dishing out of goodies or threat and intimidation, inciting racial or religious hatred, bribery including outright vote buying and abuse of government machinery.
If a state agency is going to organise any event that involves election candidates, all contesting candidates should be invited and be treated equally. All state agencies should remain neutral and non-partisan at all times.
BERSIH 2.0 reminds the Pakatan Harapan government that the people have voted for change in the 14th General Election – a change from the BN rule of 61 years that was marred by massive corruption, cronyism and nepotism.
Pakatan Harapan should uphold its election manifesto, which promises to cleanse Malaysia of corruption, malfeasance and kleptocracy, Promise 14 on strengthening anti-corruption practices and Promise 17 on ensuring transparency and robustness of our election system.
Issued by:
BERSIH 2.0 Steering Committee