The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) is alarmed by a report in MalaysiaKini [1] that the Barisan National (BN) candidate for the delayed Padang Serai election, C. Sivarraajh has been offered a Senatorship by Pakatan Harapan (PH) to withdraw from the contest to make way for the PH candidate.

This is clearly a violation of Section 10(i) of the Election Offences Act 1954 where any inducement to a candidate to withdraw from a contest is considered a corrupt practice (bribery) and upon conviction is punishable with up to 2 years jail, a fine of up to RM5,000 or both.

The police and the MACC has to investigate the veracity of this allegation and charge both the inducer and the recipient of the bribe if such an offer was indeed made.

BERSIH calls on all those who are contesting in elections to become lawmakers, to respect the laws that regulate elections. It is utterly inconsistent and ironic that aspirants to be lawmakers should start their careers as lawbreakers.

Statement issued by:
The Steering Committee of BERSIH

[1] https://m.malaysiakini.com/news/646649