Village chief: It's not bribery, just an incentive

Kampung Beris Lampu village chief Yaakob Kadir has denied bribing Kuala Besut voters on the constituency’s by-election polling day, saying it was merely an incentive for outstation voters to return and cast their ballots.

“If it were bribery, it would have been done quietly. We gave it (the incentive) to everybody regardless of whether they voted for BN or PAS. Returning voters would surely support PAS (anyway),” Yaakob told Malaysiakini when met at his house this morning.

On Wednesday as Kuala Besut headed for the polls, voters were seen queuing up for cash at the houses of Yaakob and Kampung Lay Out village chief Rashid Yusof (previously reported as ‘Rajees’).

The recipients, who had already voted before heading to collect the money, told Malaysiakini that it was their travel allowance for returning to vote.

Yaakob explained that the incentive was provided during the general election in May as well, with those returning from Kuala Terengganu being paid RM100; RM150 for those from Kuantan; and RM200 for voters from Johor and Kuala Lumpur.

“There are those who complained that it was not enough... If (you compare the incentive against the cost of returning), it does not match,” said Yaakob, who is also the local Umno branch chief.

He added that fewer than 100 voters returned to Kuala Besut this time, mainly because of the approaching Hari Raya holidays.

Malaysiakini also visited Rashid’s home this morning, who had on polling day said the money was given as 'duit raya'. However, he was not at home.

EC urged to take action

Meanwhile, the PAS Kuala Besut candidate’s campaign manager Hanafiah Mat urged the Election Commission (EC) to take action against the supposed ‘travel allowance’.

“This is blatant bribery, without any sense of shame or embarrassment.

“PAS does not do this. Anything given to earn votes is bribery,” he said when contacted today.

The Chukai assemblyperson added that PAS would hold a meeting tomorrow to decide on its next course of action.

Malaysiakini has also been contacting BN Kuala Besut by-election deputy director Idris Jusoh since yesterday and Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Said since this morning for comment on the issue.

As of the time of writing, neither of the BN leaders have responded to our queries.

EC: Transport allowance with no conditions is fine

Reports by Abdul Rahim Sabri, Koh Jun Lin and Lee Long Hui.