Four days after its near-loss in the Manek Urai by-election, PAS has lodged a report at the Kuala Krai district police station over Umno's tactic of paying transport allowance to outstation voters who returned to cast their votes.

Kuala Krai PAS Youth chief Mahadi Mat Zain, accompanied by Kelantan PAS Youth chief Abdul Latif Abdul Rahman and his deputy Hisham Fauzi, in making the report yesterday urged the authorities to investigate the matter.

NONE They accused Barisan Nasional and Umno for allegedly bribing voters on polling day in the premises of federal government economic agency South Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar) in Sungai Peria.

Mahadi alleged that the distribution of cash was done about 50 metres from the polling centre in SK Peria. Malaysiakini has video footage of the incident.

In his report, Mahadi said he was informed by party officials of the activity at about 10.30am on July 14, and he along with a lawyer and four volunteers from independent poll watchdog Malaysian for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel) went to the area.

NONE “When we arrive, we saw people queuing up in front of a wooden house for their money. We tried to go inside the house, but we were not allowed in.

“I was also pushed out by one BN official whom I can identify as ‘Mat Zin Bas’ who is also from the Manek Urai constituency. A police officer then asked us and those waiting for the money to disperse as we were on federal government’s property,” said Mahadi.

‘Bribery’ done openly

Mahadi described the alleged vote-buying which took place within the federal government's premises as BN’s abuse of government property and machinery.

“The bribery which took place was arrogantly done in the open and we ask the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the matter.

“If they (the authorities) do not investigate the matter, it would only cast aspersions on them,” he said.

“I also possess documentary evidence in the form of video compact disc and it would be handed to the police in due time. If the authorities do not investigate, it would only prejudice the people's view that they are protecting BN's wrongdoing,” argued Mahadi.

Malaysiakini has reported that those who waited for the cash handouts were required to submit their MyKad to 'officials', who would later call out their names. The voters were given about RM300 each.