S’WAK POLLS | Bersih has identified 11 alleged electoral offences in Sibu during the Sarawak state elections that allegedly involved caretaker Chief Minister Adenan Satem and four candidates from both sides of the divide.

This is part of the joint effort between Bersih and Sibu Bersih, which stationed over 100 election observers in Kuching, Sibu and Miri.

The group, led by Sarawak Pemantau Committee adviser Wong Meng Chuo and coordinator Hu Ting Ung, lodged a report to the returning officer.

In its report, the group listed out the 11 irregularities, namely election bribery, use of public assets for personal election purposes, as well as putting up candidates’ posters within 50 metres of polling centres.

This involved Pelawan, Dudong and Bawang Assan, three state seats in Sibu town.

They have to lodge a report with the returning officer as the Election Commission is only located in Kuching, said Wong, adding that the group will also lodge reports to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and police.

“The witnesses are willing to come out, we have witnesses and evidence in these cases,” he said at a press conference.

While 10 cases of alleged irregularities involved the BN and BN direct candidates, one allegedly involved DAP Bawang Assan candidate Stanley Chiew.

Other include three BN direct candidates - Wong Soon Koh (Bawang Assan), Tiong Thai King (Dudong) and Janet Lau (Pelawan).

List of alleged irregularities

The group listed out the alleged irregularities:

April 30: While attending an anniversary event in SJK Thai Kwang with three BN direct candidates, Adenan campaigned and announced an allocation RM500,000 to the school.

Food and drink for the dinner were provided free of charge for the voters

Alleged offences: Section 19(1)(b), Section 10 and Section 24B (7) of the Election Offences Act, and Section 405 and Section 409 of the Penal Code.

Adenan and Wong Soon Koh made use of more than four government vehicles during the event.

Alleged offences: Section 405 and Section 409 of the Penal Code.

April 16: Tiong Thai King wore a shirt with his party logo and asked those present at the event to vote for BN.

Alleged offences: Election Offences Act.

April 20: Tiong Thai King handed out government funds of RM200 each to 291 families and urged the parents to vote for BN.

Civil servants were allegedly used to campaign in political activities.

Alleged offences: Section 10(a) of the Election Offences Act, Section 409 of the Penal Code and Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993.

April 27: The election agent for Janet Lau told the audience that they would not receive the constituency development fund allocation if the candidate does not win the election.

May 2: Wong Soon Koh promised to give each resident RM500 before the election and another RM200 after the election if he wins.

He was seen giving an envelope to residents of a longhouse that had burnt down. The witness couldn’t confirm if the envelope contained money.

Alleged offences: Section 10(a) of the Election Offences Act.

May 1: Poster using SPR logo and the BN logo. It shows it is for N53 Bawang Assan. The poster has no publishing details.

Alleged offences: Section 11(c) of the Election Offences Act.

May 1: Wong Soon Koh attended an event that gave out free buffet food and lucky draws to voters. The lucky draws included smartphones and hampers.

Alleged offences: Section 8 of the Election Offences Act.

May 1: Campaigning before the nomination day by handing out stickers to voters urging them to vote for candidate Tiong Thai King.

May 3: Janet Lau’s campaign material allegedly within 50m of a polling station.

Alleged offences: Section 24B(7) of the Election Offences Act.

May 2: DAP MP Oscar Ling, accompanied by DAP candidate for Bawang Assan Stanley Chiew, held an opening ceremony for a newly-installed water pump system. At the same time he urged voters there to vote for DAP.

Alleged offences: Section 8 of Election Offences Act.

Malaysiakini is attempting to contact the five mentioned by the group for comment.