KUALA LUMPUR – Electoral watchdog Coalition for Clean and Fair Election (Bersih) has joined the chorus of critics condemning Nga Kor Ming’s announcement on allocating RM5.21 million for Hulu Selangor residents.
The housing and local government minister made the announcement yesterday, where he said the allocations were made due to the area being a “lucky place”. This came less than a month before the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election on May 11.
Asserting that the minister’s announcement had violated election guidelines, Bersih cautioned the government that repeating such “unethical” practices could result in citizens losing confidence in the electoral system.
“The special allocation (announced by Nga) for Kuala Kubu Baharu is seen to have violated the principle of ‘no campaigning’ which links government allocations with political support,” the group said in a statement today.
“This action can also be considered an effort to buy votes and use the government’s undue influence on Kuala Kubu Baharu voters.
“Bersih observes that the continuous breaches of ethics in clean and fair elections by the unity government itself in several previous elections will erode public confidence – particularly among voters – in the electoral system and democratic processes in the country,” it added.
Bersih also reiterated its call to establish comprehensive guidelines on the ethics of non-caretaker and caretaker governments during election periods.
“(The guidelines), which should commence immediately upon the dissolution of Parliament, state legislative assemblies, or the vacancy of seats, must be enacted as law.
“This is to prevent the misuse of government resources in any allocation announcement and government policy entrusted by the people.”
In announcing the projects and funds for Kuala Kubu Baharu yesterday, Nga asserted that the allocations had nothing to do with the poll for the state seat, which was declared vacant following the death of its representative, DAP’s Lee Kee Hiong.
“We (the ministry) chose (to announce allocations) for Kuala Kubu Baharu not because it is having a by-election. We chose Kuala Kubu Baharu because it is a very lucky place.
“The ‘feng shui’ here is good. So don’t be sensitive,” Nga had said.
The DAP vice-chairman and Perak party chief had also urged voters living and working elsewhere to return and “vote for a caring party.”
MCA senator Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker has since slammed Nga for going against anti-corruption principles by allegedly attempting to influence voters.
The former MCA vice-president also said that Nga’s actions were “unfortunate and regretful,” as DAP had previously repeatedly criticised the announcement of ministerial projects and allocations during election seasons.
In response to Selangor Perikatan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali’s claims of DAP practising money politics to secure votes in the by-election, state DAP vice-chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim had reportedly claimed that Nga was merely fulfilling his ministerial responsibilities to the people. – April 19, 2024