DAP today predicted that the coming state elections would be the "dirtiest" in the country’s history, claiming that BN has already started "vote buying" in the rural areas.

                

NONE Sarawak state chief Wong Ho Leng said Iban longhouses in Bawang Asssan had received RM600 each, with some voters receiving RM100 individually.

“The funds are distributed under the poverty eradication programme, but it is a form of election bribery," stressed the Sibu MP at an operation center launching in Sungai Merah, Sibu.

Beside cash, it was also alleged that BN had also distributed three tons of stones to each house for purposes of road repair.

"My father also got it (stones)," said Wong, who originates from the little village of Bukit Igu, outside Sibu town.

longhouse "I would say this election is the dirtiest."

The allegation was later denied by SUPP Bawang Assan state assemblyperson Wong Soon Koh, who claimed it was "distortion, slander and rumour".

"I will ask my lawyer to look into it and decide (on) the further action," said the state’s second finance minister in a phone interview with Malaysiakini .

Wong admitted that the government did distribute RM600 to each Iban family, but he claimed that this was an action by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to take care of the people.

"During the last Sibu by election, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister had visited the Iban community and found that their houses were in poor condition and lacking in basic facilities. So, they want to help them.

sibu by election 070510 wong soon koh "The money was distributed by the head of the area and it has nothing to do with us."

Wong added that the stones are meant to be distributed, but will be used to repair the road.

On another matter, Wong Ho Leng criticised the Election Commission (EC) for siding with BN and ignoring what he claimed was rampant vote buying and money politics.

"This is very clearly bribery, but the EC pretended it did not see or hear it," said Wong without disclosing details.

He urged the EC to allow independent election watchdogs such as Bersih and Mafrel to monitor the Sarawak elections.  

sibu church generic 030411 big image In a related development, local election watchdog Sibu Election Watch (SEW) raised their concerns with the practice by the government to allocate public funds during by election.

In a press conference in Sibu, SEW co-ordinator Wong Meng Chuo ( left ) urged all local organisations to reject such "goodies" and described it as inappropriate during times of election.

He also cited the example of the Methodist Church, which had ordered all of its churches against receiving any allocation from the government during elections.

NONE "If the church can do so, why not others?"

It was reported that Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had announce an allocation of RM74 millions for Sarawak schools, including Chinese schools and mission schools.

SEW also refuted the statement by EC that the electoral roll was clean.

SEW said it had found two voters born in 1880 and 1886, respectively, in Nangka and Pelawan, but had not yet been cleared out of the electoral roll.

"This show that they have cheated the people," said Meng Chuo.