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Najib to EC: If impartial, then explain Bersih's claim you singled me out
Published:  Oct 3, 2018 3:31 PM
Updated: 8:51 AM

Former premier Najib Abdul Razak has called on the Election Commission to answer claims that it singled him out for persecution over an alleged offence in the Sungai Kandis by-election.

As Najib pointed out, electoral watchdog Bersih had said that it was the EC that lodged a police report against him for allegedly campaigning on voting day in contravention of election laws.

"Bersih (yesterday) explained that it was the EC that had lodged the police report against me, even though Bersih has submitted a list of offences, some serious offences carried out by PKR, including by its own candidate.

"This means Bersih has washed its hands (of the matter) and accused EC for being biased by only lodging a police report against me, but not against PKR and its candidate.

"As supposedly the impartial party, I want to know the EC's explanation, for Bersih's accusation against them is very serious," he said in a Facebook posting this morning.

In August, Bersih said that Najib could have contravened Section 26 of the Election Offences Act 1954 for campaigning on polling day after appearing to canvass for BN candidate Lokman Noor Adam in a Facebook posting.

Police stated on Monday that Najib is expected to be summoned for questioning soon over the posting. Putrajaya police chief Rosly Hasan had told Malaysiakini that investigators were still working on the case with the Communications and Multimedia Commission.

This followed Bersih questioning why police had only taken a statement from its acting chairperson Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari (photo) but not Najib.

The group's executive director Yap Swee Seng said that the authorities should investigate the person accused of committing an offence, instead of going after those who lodged the report.

This then compelled Najib to question if Bersih had also made a similar police report against PKR and its then-candidate Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni.

In response, Bersih clarified that it was the EC that had lodged the police report against Najib. The group also noted that in its report to the commission, it had listed down election offences committed by both BN and PKR.

Among the offences listed in its observation report of the Sungai Kandis polls include alleged abuse of government assets and programmes by PKR.

It pointed out that Zawawi had held a campaign event providing a free car inspections, and attended a programme providing free health checks.

As for BN, Bersih noted that Pahang Umno had organised an open kenduri event for Lokman, and that attendees at BN ceramah were given free food.

Malaysiakini has contacted the EC for comment and is awaiting a response.

 

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