your say 'TI-Malaysia president Paul Low, maybe you should take over the EC chief's job. Last I heard, the current head doesn't know what is bribery and corruption.'

'Election handouts ARE bribes'

Docs: In Malaysia, if BN/Umno gives out handouts to the rakyat just before an election, it's not a bribe. It is to " tolong the rakyat in their hour of need". If Pakatan Rakyat gives out handouts, that's a bribe.

If BN/Umno takes kickbacks from defence contractors, like the alleged case of PM Najib Razak's confidante Abdul Razak Baginda who received RM500 million for the submarine deal, that's not bribe but commission, which is legal in Malaysia.

If Umno politicians produce and distribute pornographic material, that's not illegal as it is a documentary. If Pakatan members are alleged to be acting in porno movies, even if the footage is so fuzzy that we can determine the person involved, they are guilty.

If BN/Umno organises a ceramah, there is no need for police permit as it is legal. Pakatan's ceramahs are always illegal. And Umno street protests, even if violent, are not illegal. Meanwhile, Pakatan peaceful protests are all illegal.

Got that, Tranparency International (TI)?

Anonymous_3f1f: Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, why don't we legalise corruption as "commissions". As giving cash during election time is helping the people, giving money to police officers cannot be termed as corruption but ‘duit kopi' in the spirit of "I help you, you help me". This is 1Malaysia - Bolehland full of crooks.

Anonymous_3f5f: Too bad TI does not have much influence, whether in Malaysia or globally. It seems that even the Obama administration is in favour of the Najib government nowadays.

The only thing Pakatan can do is to follow BN's footstep in the states that they are in government. Let BN taste their own medicine. Use state funds in the next GE and ask voters to vote for Pakatan. Let's see if BN will start jumping and pointing fingers.

Ksn: There is no doubt that election handouts are bribery. Only our Election Commission without any backbone and stand on its independence and our de facto law minister and those with the same level of grey matter will say and think otherwise.

FellowMalaysian: I am totally amazed, appalled and shocked that a minister in the Prime Minister's Department could ever say that election handouts are not bribes. And above all, he is the de facto law minister!

I suggest some politicians bring him to court over such nonsensical and ridiculous claim. Otherwise, this laughing jackass will make a fool of the country.

Christine Yong: Why should the government spent taxpayers' money to lure voters and the opposition cannot do the same? It's not fair. If handouts at elections is considered bribery, then use the law to punish bribery. It's as simple as that. There is no need to have special laws for such bribery.

Anonymous_40a7: TI-Malaysia president Paul Low, maybe you should take over the EC chief's job. Last I heard, the current head doesn't know what is bribery and corruption.

Isa@1penyu: Handouts by BN is bribery but if Pakatan hands out anything, it is a BN conspiracy as the tainted opposition leader will claim most of the time. Who does not give handouts, especially promises such as what Pakatan did in Penang and Selangor in their 2008 manifestos?

I hope TI can look into politicians making empty promises as for me that is also bribery - you bribed me into believing that there is something but at the end of the day, nothing happens.

Not Convinced: It looks like Isa@1penyu is running out of arguments. No, election manifestos are not bribes. It is normal the world over for political parties to issue electoral manifestoes explaining their policies.

But when PM Najib Razak told Sibu voters after handing out RM18 million worth of cheques to Chinese and mission schools:

"Please, I help you, you help me. That way we have a very fair and happy relationship. It won't cost you anything to give us what we want. We will do what we should to give you what you want. And you know what I want."

Now, that's a bribe.

Observer Of Johor: Under the law of the jungle, handouts by BN are not bribes but handouts by Pakatan are. So we've to vote out the law of the jungle in Sarawak and GE 13th.

Bersih 2.0: Polls promises are bribes too

Quigonbond: I doubt there's real difference between a manifesto and an election promise. For instance, BN could promise 100 schools in its general election manifesto, and on the other hand, promise one school in a by-election. Both involve inducement, if not in cash, then in kind.

It's difficult to argue that one is a result of responsible government and the other, bribery. I submit that the real difference lies in the unfair use of incumbency. In a state by-election, the candidate whose party holds state power has an advantage of making certain promises (eg. allocation of land), which the other side cannot promise.

This becomes less an issue in a statewide election, unless the power to implement a promise stems from the federal government (which is the same party holding power in the state). Both sides become virtually tied in case of a general election (either side can promise the heaven).

The solution is clear. EC must have clear campaign guidelines for different types of electoral contest to achieve fairness.

Anonymous_40dd: Malaysians have come to terms with bribery as a matter of cultural practice. Everyone is happy about it and few really question the morality of it. Our society has plunged to that level.

 

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