SHAH ALAM – The action of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to announce special allocations to certain social bodies in Terengganu has nothing to do with the state election to be held on August 12, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.
He reasoned that this is because the announcement was made before the nomination of candidates.
“There are people who suggest that a direct announcement about the allocation should not be made, but I cannot (abstain) because I am the prime minister. I have to take care of the country and everything. If it is important, then we will announce it.
“But I already said that we cannot use state machinery, especially those involving elections from yesterday. That is the cabinet’s decision,” he said at a press conference today.
He said this after officiating the National Consumers’ Day 2023 event here.
Anwar added that the election period should not hinder the government’s work.
“This programme is already three months (in the making),” he said.
He also explained that the government needed to make an announcement on an old application to the Domestic Trade and Living Costs Ministry in conjunction with Consumers’ Day today.
In making the controversial announcement on the allocations recently, Zahid, who is Umno president and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, had openly urged the youth present at a function in Terengganu to vote for the “blue and red wave”.
The reference was obviously to BN’s blue flag and Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) red flag.
The two coalitions have formed an alliance in the elections taking place in Terengganu and five other states on August 12.
Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman later criticised Zahid for “normalising corruption”.
Electoral watchdog Bersih rebuked Zahid over the same speech, saying in a statement that Zahid has violated two out of the 3C prohibitions during the election – “no campaign” and “no conditions”. The third prohibition refers to “no candidates”.
Earlier today, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki asserted that the federal allocations announced by Zahid do not constitute undue inducement to voters despite the upcoming state election.
He stressed that the allocations of RM100,000 for a youth body under the Central Terengganu Development Authority, and RM250,000 for the Terengganu Malaysia Youth Council are not a form of corruption.
“This is from a ruling government that can implement initiatives it deems appropriate for the people,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian today. – The Vibes, July 30, 2023
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