Independent candidate draws up contract to assure voters

NIBONG TEBAL: One-term MP Tan Tee Beng (pic) has pledged to remain independent if he wins the Nibong Tebal parliamentary seat.

Failing which, he would have to pay his supporters RM2mil if he joins a political party after winning the seat.

Showing a legally-binding contract, Tan, who was the MP from 2008 to 2013, said many voters there did not want either Pakatan Harapan or Barisan Nasional to be their elected representative.

Other clauses in the contract include that he shall resign from his position as MP with immediate effect if he joins another party, and that he has to fulfil the promises listed in his manifesto during his tenure as MP.

“Their concerns are understandable.

“This is my way of giving confidence and assurance to my voters by documenting my promises.

“If I win the seat, I would not join any other parties in the next five years.

“In the event I breach any of the terms and conditions, I shall pay to the supporters the sum of RM2mil.

“The supporters can distribute the sum to charitable organisations to help the needy and the underprivileged.

“They shall not utilise the whole or any part of the said sum for their own benefit,” he read from the agreement during a press conference in Sungai Bakap yesterday.

Present to sign the contract agreement were two Nibong Tebal voters, R. Bala Subramaniam, 65, and Poh Ah Choi, 60. A journalist at the press conference acted as the witness.

Tan said his lawyer told him that he could have a public contract between himself and the voters.

Tan is vying for the Nibong Tebal parliamentary seat against PKR’s Datuk Mansor Othman, PAS’ Mohd Helmi Haron and Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Dr Shaik Hussein Mydin.