FREE Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob continues to receive flak for his statement, which PKR claims amounts to vote-buying in the Permatang Pauh by-election.

This is over the minister last Friday saying the ministry will only give agricultural approvals if the BN candidate wins in Permatang Pauh, which PKR political bureau member N Surendran said is in direct violation of the Election Act.

"This statement, which amounts to a public offer of agricultural approvals to the voters, is a blatant attempt at electoral bribery.

"Under Section 10(a) of the Elections Act 1954, a person is guilty of bribery if he offers or promises any 'valuable consideration' to electors in order to induce them to vote for any candidate," Surendran ( right ), the MP for Padang Serai, said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, Penang MCA deputy chairperson Tan Teik Cheng also blasted his BN counterpart, saying it was ignorant of Ismail to link vote-for-BN with eligibility for agricultural project assistance.

In today's statement Tan said modern democracy dictates that elected representatives, including Ismail, be of service to the people, state and nation, regardless of their race, religion and political alignments.

MCA: Ismail's remark ignorant

"Such remarks sniff of ignorance and failure to understand the democratic principles and long-term governmental responsibilities towards farmers.

"These are the very basic principles of democracy, as well as reasonable functions of any government department. It is simply unimaginable that a senior minister could actually confuse such precepts," Tan ( right ) added.

Yesterday, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar accused Ismail Sabri of 'theatening' voters to vote for BN in the May 7 by election.

Nurul Izzah said this in reference to a report in The Malaysian Insider quoting Ismail as saying that "applications for agricultural funds and projects in Permatang Pauh will not be approved if Pakatan Rakyat wins the by-election again".

Apology demanded

Meanwhile in Permatang Pauh, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng demanded an apology from Ismail Sabri for his remarks.

Lim described the remark as "rude and ill-mannered" as it was targetted at Wan Azizah, who is a woman.

Ismail Sabri had reportedly said if Wan Azizah wanted to see him, she would not be able to even get past his office lobby as she belongs to the opposition.

"How is it that a Malaysian citizen is not allowed to enter the lobby of a government office?" Lim asked.

"I hope Ismail Sabri does not act wild. If Kak Wan (Azizah) is chased away when she wants to enter the Ministry's lobby, this is too much," added the DAP secretary-general

Lim said this at a press conference following a visit to a Siamese temple in Tanah Liat, Permatang Pauh.

Additional reporting by Zulaikha Zulkifli .