Coalition for Free and Fair Election (BERSIH 2.0) warns all parties to campaign fairly and not threatened voters to vote for them. BERSIH 2.0 also warns Pakatan Harapan especially not to abuse their power as federal government by threatening voters to vote for their candidates in Cameron Highland by-election that will take place soon. This is the Barisan Nasional campaign’s evil strategy when they were still in power and it is not reasonable to repeat the strategy as PH has always harped on transparency and clean elections before 9th May 2018.
Campaigning by intimidating voters is an offense under Section 9, Undue Influence. Section 9 clearly states that it would be an offence in the event a person threatens to impose an injury to others by forcing a person to vote or not to vote for a party. This was clearly done by Senator Bob Manolan Mohd during a dialogue session with Tok Batin that was organized by the Raub Parliamentary Service Center at Pos Betau, Jelai. The dialogue session was also participated by YBM Deputy Minister of Water, Land and Natural Resources Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji.
BERSIH 2.0 hopes that the Tok Batin or representatives present at the dialogue session will come forward and report to the police as the remarks by the Senator has violated the Section 9 of the Election Offences Act for the relevant authorities to take further action.
BERSIH 2.0 also urged the Pakatan Harapan government to deny this and take firm disciplinary action against the Senator who clearly did not have the agenda to campaign freely and fairly in the upcoming by-election by threatening voters in Cameron Highland.
Undue influence such as threatening voters to vote or not vote for a party or candidate may result in imprisonment of not more than two years, a fine of not more than RM5000 and imprisonment of not more than 1 year.
BERSIH 2.0 once again urges all candidates and election machineries to campaign prudently and comply with Election Offences Act. Professional and ethical campaigning should be the way to go in the New Malaysia.
Issued by,
BERSIH 2.0 Steering Committee