BN accuses Harapan of giving out vegetables in Semenyih
SEMENYIH POLLS | Umno acting deputy president Ismail Sabri Yaakob has accused Pakatan Harapan of committing an electoral offence by distributing vegetables to Semenyih residents during the by-election campaigning period.
"Yesterday when I was at Kampung Kuala Pajam, we received reports that Harapan was distributing vegetables to the residents of the village.
"This is an offence under the Election Act 1958 and the Election Offences Act 1954," he said to reporters while campaigning in Sesapan Kelubi, a Semenyih polling district...
SEMENYIH POLLS | Umno acting deputy president Ismail Sabri Yaakob has accused Pakatan Harapan of committing an electoral offence by distributing vegetables to Semenyih residents during the by-election campaigning period.
"Yesterday when I was at Kampung Kuala Pajam, we received reports that Harapan was distributing vegetables to the residents of the village.
"This is an offence under the Election Act 1958 and the Election Offences Act 1954," he said to reporters while campaigning in Sesapan Kelubi, a Semenyih polling district.
He compared the incident to the Cameron Highlands by-election, in which Harapan allegedly committed several electoral offences including providing petrol money to volunteers.
Harapan had said that the 'cash handout' images that surfaced on social media had depicted party volunteers in Cameron Highlands being reimbursed, and that the payment would be declared as part of the coalition’s campaign spending.
"We have asked the polling district chief to lodge a police report (over Harapan’s alleged distribution of vegetables)," Ismail added.
He also urged the Election Commission (EC) to monitor the campaigning more closely to ensure there are no elements of wrongdoing throughout the campaign.
Ismail also welcomed EC's directive to forbid “treating” residents throughout the campaign period.
Since nomination day itself, he said BN has briefed all their machinery not to do anything which can be considered an electoral offence.
"So far, we have given instructions not to have feasting, unless the machinery wants to eat, then that is fine.
"But we cannot provide food to voters," he added.
Though he is confident that the EC is an independent body which will not be influenced by any parties, he hoped the agency will carry out its duties well in order to make the Semenyih by-election a model of a clean and fair election.
"I thank the EC for chastising openly, but don't let it be that even after chastising them, they (Harapan) continue to commit offences, which means they do not respect EC.
"We obey and respect the EC, so I hope Harapan will do the same," he said.
Polling day for the Semenyih by-election will be on March 2.
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