KUALA LUMPUR – Muda’s Lim Wei Jiet has condemned the alleged “election candy” offered by political parties to draw votes in the upcoming 15th general election (GE15).
Lim expressed his disapproval over certain “promises” made by Barisan Nasional (BN), seeing how the announcements coincided with the GE15 campaigns.
He said this in response to a report by The Star on Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announcing a RM4 million allocation on the development of a food court and a community hall for the Tg Piai constituency.
According to Lim, another RM600,000 will be allocated for the development of six Chinese villages there.
“It is typical for BN to offer such candy, albeit being disguised as an offer made by the state government,” he told a press conference in Tg Piai today.
“Actions like this cannot be left unaddressed, because it involves the integrity and transparency of the candidates who are contesting, even if it is not them who announced it,” he added.
Lim claimed that the presence of incumbent MP Datuk Seri Wee Jeck Seng during the announcement indicated that the BN candidate was involved in the alleged practice.
He urged the Election Commission (EC) to take stern action against the BN candidate, who, according to him, had clearly violated the rules under the EC.
“We know that BN is very cunning when buying votes during the ongoing GE15 campaign,” he added.
Meanwhile, Lim listed three of his own promises for Tg Piai constituents.
He said he wanted to make the constituency a career hub for the youth and offer business opportunities for small and medium enterprises.
He added that he will suggest tax exemptions to attract more investors to the constituency, so the youth there are given capital, upskilling opportunities, and incentives to start their businesses.
“I am just like other Johor youth…we are forced to seek better job opportunities in Kuala Lumpur. A number of my friends moved to Singapore to work,” he lamented.
“To me, Tg Piai has the potential to be the second Iskandar Puteri in Johor,” he added.
Lim also wants to maintain the welfare of senior citizens and women in the constituency by developing more care centres and revamping existing ones.
According to him, the Pontian Hospital is dilapidated and can no longer accommodate residents.
This, he said, underlines the need for an immediate upgrade to provide the locals with much needed access to healthcare.
“Currently, Tg Piai only has three old folks' homes although there are thousands of senior citizens who are left here,” he said.
“There should be more care centres and clinics for the elderly, who are partially supported by the government.
“With access to healthcare for the elderly, the many women who have to care for their parents can now work again and improve the economy,” he added.
Lim’s final promise is to provide assistance to farmers and fishermen in Tg Piai, where he will advocate for subsidies to reduce material costs that have impacted them.
He added that he will also tackle issues such as pollution and embankments that disrupt the marine ecosystem, and provide better infrastructure for fishermen. – The Vibes, November 6, 2022
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