your say 'Corruption is so rampant that we can't tell the difference between one and the other.'

PAS: Nik Aziz gave alms, not bribes

Malaysian for Malaysia: Utusan Malaysia which published that article has committed a grave sin, as they have denied what is considered a religious obligation.

Nik Aziz Nik Mat is the MB of Kelantan, and as such, he would also be in charge of the distribution of the zakat paid by the people. Thus, it is his responsibility to distribute the zakat to those deserving.

In Islam, groups that have a right to receive zakat are the mu'allafs , or saudara baru . These people are reverts to Islam, and the purpose of the zakat money is to ease their burden in learning and committing themselves to Islam.

Zakat distribution can be done anytime, anywhere, to the entitled recipients by those charge of managing the zakat . Utusan makes it seem like a bribe just because it was given out near a by-election.

Anonymous: What do you expect from a government paper that tells more lies than the truth? The Election Commission (EC) can define Wanita Umno's spending spree as "not a bribe" , so this shouldn't be, too. Oh wait, I forgot the EC is working for BN.

Wira: Isn't the calling of the giving of alms corruption akin to blasphemy?

Tok Janggut: Corruption is so rampant that we can't tell the difference between one and the other. The EC and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) have closed their eyes to many occasions of BN vote-buying, for example, promises of projects, money for workers, advanced payment for something, etc. It looks like nothing falls under the category of corruption by the authorities.

But when Tok Guru Nik Aziz gives tithes, they quickly conclude that it is corruption. It is probably corruption. But why don't MACC and EC disallow any form of gifts during elections, whether by BN and Pakatan Rakyat?

Lover Boy: If giving of alms is corruption, then likewise the RM20 for ‘transport money' by Wanita Umno should be considered corruption too. The common factor is that these are all for voters before a by-election.

Pakatan Rakyat cannot now fault BN for what they did as Pakatan's action is no better. Must the alms be given near the election day? The alms could have been given after the event and no one would bat an eyelid. For once, Utusan 's argument hold water.

Anonymous: The BN government can use projects and development to gain election victories as part of their strategy. After all, the main purpose is to maintain a government to develop the country and maintain a good and healthy economy so everyone can cari makan in the country.

But what really makes me angry is that Nik Aziz is using religious alms to hide his corrupt, insincere, and dishonest action to bribe the kampung people.

Isa@1penyu: Yes, Nik Aziz only gave alms as he is tok guru, like he gave alms to his son-in-law and also took alms to go for hajj. If Pakatan does what Umno does, what difference is there in terms of corrupt practices? At least, with BN we get some development in the process.

When something like this is done during election time, PAS is no better and now I doubt that Pakatan has any credibility to question BN, as each day shows that they are no different from BN, sometimes even worse.

I'd rather vote for independents. I converted to Islam but got nothing from anyone. I vote as I please, based on the candidate and the party's current stand on issues, etc. I should have gone to Kelantan to convert... maybe then I would have gotten a lifetime pension from PAS.

Sick: It makes me sick that the BN government can hand out millions in projects, to schools, and openly to whoever can sign a piece of paper during a ‘buy-election', and yet, they can accuse an opposition politican of corruption when they're actually helping the truly poor. All this hypocrisy only makes me hate BN more.

Anonymous: Well, it involved only a few people, and it's an Islamic conversion - so what is there to cry about, unless that particular person had other intention. BN papers are good in reporting rubbish, so there's nothing surprising in this. I am not a Muslim, but I can see the good deeds that Tok Guru does.

Rayfire: The alms, if given in good faith, should be accepted as such. I am not defending Nik Aziz's actions as it may be seen in bad light due to the timing. But at least, he didn't open a counter and give all those passers-by food and travel allowance just by showing their ICs and political alliance.

Millions are allocated for ‘maggi mee' projects still despite there being a statement there will be no such things this time around. If that is not bribery, neither should this be!

EC: Alms or not, giving money is bribery

Christ follower: During the Hulu Selangor by-election, many received, rice, cash, stove hampers, even ‘makan besar pun ada'. Those were not called bribes. We rakyat are not stupid.

Adcin: Promising projects, etc, is that not bribery? Why is only cash considered bribery? Next time the BN gives money, report them, too, don't close both eyes.

Nik Aziz, that was a silly stunt. It was done at the wrong place and the wrong time. You have sure created a nice sideshow, with stupid BN jumping all over it like a drowning man clutching at straws.

Mangodurian: Zakat or not, it was a bit of a dumb public relations move by Nik Aziz to be caught in this controversy of perception.

Kenzo: Giving money during an election is wrong and against the law if you are not supporting BN. If you are a BN person, you can give money, milk, milo, use government machinery, do anything, and it is still legal.

Pakatan Rakyat, please remember this. Only BN can do anything. You however must follow the law.

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