A staggering RM15 million was spent by the Royal Malaysian Police for the deployment of over 3,000 personnel in the recent Kuala Terengganu by-election.

chor chee heung According to Bernama , Deputy Home Minister Chor Chee Heung told the Dewan Rakyat that the cost incurred was higher compared with that spent for the by-election in Permatang Pauh.

He said the expenses incurred for the Kuala Terengganu by-election were for travelling and living allowance (RM2.7 million), communication and utilities (RM50,000), canopy rentals (RM6 million), dried food and beverages (RM65,000), fuel and spare parts (RM698,000), raw materials and others (RM310,000), maintenance and minor repairs (RM830,000), and food stuff and accommodation (RM4.5 million).

He said a total of 3,376 police personnel from various branches in the PDRM were deployed to maintain order and ensure smooth election of the Kuala Terengganu by-election.

No rioting or untoward incidents

No incident of rioting or other untoward incidents occurred during the by-election, he said in response to a question by Amran Ab.Ghani (PKR-Tanah Merah) who wanted to know the cost incurred by the police for the by-election and on riots that happened during the period.

police expenditure in kuala terengganu by election 180209 To a supplementary question from Amran on whether there would be a similar strength of police deployment for the by-elections in Bukit Selambau (Kedah) and Bukit Gantang (Perak), Chor said it would depend on the Election Commission.

If there was instruction from the commission that the situation in areas where the by-elections would be held required tighter control so that voters could go out to exercise their rights without fear, then the police would act, he added.

However, he said the police would analyse the situation in the affected areas first to determine the number of personnel to be deployed for the task.

In response to a supplementary question by Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat), Chor agreed that the presence of many police personnel had resulted in a smooth election for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election.