Allegations are circulating in media circles that two Independent candidates vying for the Bukit Selambau state seat are “spreading sweeteners” to reporters, in the hope that this will lead to a good press for their by-election prospects.

Candidates R Loganathan and M Venason are alleged to have given cash to reporters through their representatives on two different occasions, but both denied any involvement when contacted.

bukit selambau independent candidate 230309 r loganathan Loganathan (left) was said to have handed out cash in white envelopes to reporters covering his press conference on Feb 2 at the Cinta Sayang Resort, Sungai Petani, through his brother.

Venason had purportedly given RM50 to reporters covering his press conference on March 7 at the same place, through a person purported to be his ‘media agent’.

The ‘agent’, identified as a stringer with a broadcast station’s Kedah bureau, admitted that he had given RM50 to reporters during the event.

However, he told Malaysiakini that he did this out of ‘personal camaraderie’ with the reporters concerned.

“I am not an agent for him (Venason) nor am I acting on behalf of any political figure,” he clarified by telephone.

“It was just done out of support for the reporters. I understand their plight. Some of them don’t make that much money and I was just giving out (the money) as a transport or food allowance.”

He said he has always helped fellow-stringers and reporters, and further claimed that he has close relations with the owners of the resort where he owns a ‘house’.

“As a good Samaritan, I have set up a media centre at my house with all the necessary facilities to help reporters,” he explained, saying he anticipates a heavy media presence for the by-election on April 7.

Asked why he was doing this, he said: “I’m just an individual trying to help fellow reporters. There is nothing wrong with my helping others out, so I don’t intend to stop doing so.”

Candidates rebut allegations

His assertions corresponded with those of Venason who said he was “totally oblivious” about the identity of the ‘agent’ and denied any intention to distribute cash to reporters.

bukit selambau independent candidate 230309 venason micheal “I have no idea who this person is. If he said he was just giving out money for food, we had prepared food that day (when the press conference was held),” he told Malaysiakini.

There is also speculation that the Kedah police had paid a visit to the resort to interview the ‘agent’ two days ago.

However, Sungai Petani OCPD Hashim Ali, when contacted, denied that the police are probing the case, saying there has been no official report on the matter.

Loganathan also denied giving cash handouts, saying he “does not have the financial means to do so”.

A similar incident was reported during the Kuala Terengganu by-election when journalists claimed to have received an envelope with RM300 cash in it.

One of the journalists, who works for a Chinese-language online news portal, lodged a report but the outcome of investigations is not known.