PKR denies allegations that it had offered bribes to independent candidates to withdraw from next week's Penanti by-election in Penang, challenging the accusers to subtantiate their claims with strong evidence.

tian chuah comment on ppp defection 050409 Tian Chua, PKR's strategy director, has challenged the independent candidates to prove their graft allegations and lodge complaints with the Election Commission and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to substantiate their claims.

The Batu member of parliament, however, warns the complainants that they would face the wrath of PKR if they could not substantiate their claims with solid evidence.

"We will resort to other actions, including legal means, on these complainants if they failed to prove their claims," he said.

He said PKR categorically denied any malpractices such as attempting to offer bribes to any contesting independent candidates to withdraw from the Penanti by-election.

"I am sure no PKR leaders were engaged in such unhealthy activities," he told a press conference in Yayasan Aman, Penanti today.

Aminah: PKR agents offered me bribes

penanti by election nomination230509 aminah abdullah.jpg During yesterday's nomination day, independent candidate Aminah Abdullah alleged that she was offered bribes by certain PKR agents to withdraw from the by-election.

She said she would reveal the details of the offer later during the eight-day campaign period, which started yesterday.

Commenting on this, Tian Chua said he expected more such claims to emerge during the campaign, recalling PKR's experience in dealing with 13 independent candidates during the March by-election in Bukit Selambau, Kedah.

He said all the independent candidates in Bukit Selambau have in a way or other alleged to be offered bribe by PKR to withdrawal.

"In the end, all their allegations proved baseless," he said.

He said PKR would never got involved in such unhealthy activities which would jeopardise a healthy democratic process to elect a representative.

"There is no logic in the accusation and we are clear in our political position and stand. We will not stop any healthy electoral contest by offering monetary rewards," he said.

Tian Chua called on the accusers to lodge reports with the EC and MACC, adding that both government agencies would surely conduct a fast track investigation to accumulate evidence on such complaints since the case involved Pakatan Rakyat and PKR.

"I have full confidence in EC and MACC that both agencies would carry out a quick probe on this case and obtain the evidence, if any," he jibed.

15,384 registered voters in Penanti

The Penanti by-election will see a four-cornered fight between PKR candidate Mansor Othman and independent candidates Aminah, Nai Khan Ari Nai Keow and Kamarul Ramizu Idris, who also contested the recent Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election in March.

The seat fell vacant following the resignation of former deputy chief minister 1 (DCM 1) Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin who was also the Penanti assemblyperson.

All candidates can now start campaigning until midnight May 30.

Penanti falls under the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat, which is the stronghold of PKR and Pakatan supremo Anwar.

Penanti has 15,384 registered voters comprising 72.6 per cent Malays, 24.2 per cent Chinese, 2.4 per cent Indians and 0.7 per cent others.

selambau pkr pc 040409 saifuddin nasution Meanwhile PKR election strategist, Saifuddin Nasution, said PKR will not take any chances despite Barisan Nasional's absence from the by-election. He said it was actually a proxy war between Pakatan and BN-sponsored independent candidates.

He indicated that although BN did not contest, it does not mean that BN was not working from behind the scene.

"We cannot sit on our laurels thinking that a win is a mere formality. We have to work for it," he told the same press conference.