GE14 | PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has warned about the use of dedak by the ruling coalition ahead of the 14th general election.

The word dedak (animal feed) is colloquially used in the Malay language to refer to benefits given out in order to make people beholden to the giver.

"Dedak and rewards are only distributed towards the general election to maintain power," Anwar said in a statement released by his party.

However, he urged people to exercise their rights wisely and reject BN and Umno's alleged "corruption and tyranny."

Parliament was dissolved yesterday and a general election must be called within 60 days.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak also unveiled the BN manifesto yesterday, and also announced a doubling of the BR1M cash handout for the remainder of this year.

Anwar said even though he is imprisoned his spirit remains free, but the opposite may be true for those who fear to speak up or are denying scandals in 1MDB and Felda.

"I would like to urge everyone, particularly the young, to courageously step forward by carrying the agenda of change and support Pakatan Harapan in the 14th general election," he said.

Anwar is presently serving a jail term for sodomy, a charge he claimed was politically motivated.

He is expected to be released on June 8.