The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) views with grave concern the announcement made ahead of the Kuala Kubu Bharu (KKB) State Assembly by-election by the Minister of Housing and Local Government, YB Nga Kor Ming. It has been reported that a sum of RM5.21 million was allocated under the KPKT Sentuhan Kasih Program on April 18, 2024, in Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor.

BERSIH sees this announcement as a violation of the guidelines set forth in the 3C Prohibition: No Conditions, No Campaign, and No Candidates, which BERSIH has outlined since the 2023 General Election for non-caretaker governments, such as the Federal and State Governments, in the context of by-elections.

As reported in the media, Nga Kor Ming also urged residents to return to their hometowns and encouraged them to vote for a “good, caring, progressive” party, even if without specifically naming any political party in the government. The specific allocation to KKB is seen as violating the principle of “no campaigning” linking government allocations to political support. This action could also be considered an attempt to buy votes and exert undue influence by the government on KKB voters who will cast their ballots on May 11.

BERSIH urges the Government to stop this unethical practice that contradicts the principle of fair political competition in elections. BERSIH sees the continuous violations of the principles of clean and fair elections by the ruling Madani Government in several previous election series as eroding the confidence of the people, especially voters, in the electoral system and democratic process in the country.

Once again, BERSIH emphasizes the need for comprehensive guidelines regarding the ethics of non-caretaker and caretaker governments during the election period, which should be enacted into law to prevent the misuse of government resources in any announcements of allocations and government policies entrusted by the people.

BERSIH remains committed and unwaveringly impartial to any political party in monitoring the electoral process in the country, including the upcoming KKB by-election. BERSIH will also deploy Election Observers to the KKB by-election to monitor the entire electoral process to ensure that no violations or electoral malpractices occur, and that the process is conducted in a fair and clean manner.

Released by:
The Steering Committee of BERSIH