Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad has urged voters to reject vote-buying in the 14th general election.

He said vote-buying had taken place during recent by-elections, and was bound to be widespread during the next general election.

“In the recent by-elections, many constituents received cash and kitchen appliances. They thought this was their fortune/income (rezeki).

“Actually, this is not rezeki. Such giving is a bribe to win their votes. To accept it is a sin. Whether or not they give their votes, bribery is a sin.

“In the 14th general election, even more of this dirty money will be scattered. The funds for this bribe has also been prepared by certain parties through illicit sources.

“The recipients should know what this money is haram and to accept a bribe is also a sin,” he said in a blog post today.

While not explicitly mentioned in his post today, Mahathir had campaigned during the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections in June.

During the campaigning, Gerakan and MCA had given rice to constituents, while Pakatan Harapan and BN parties gave away electrical appliances at events, some under the guise of "lucky draws".

After the by-elections ended with a Pakatan defeat, Mahathir had warned that such handouts constituted bribery and was therefore haram, and hell fire awaited those who partake in it.

Gerakan president Mah Siew Keong had previously predicted that the 14th general election would be in nine months’ time, while the Election Commission had put up notices calling for price quotations on 14th general election paraphernalia.