Sivarraajh lodges report with MACC over alleged vote buying in Cameron Highlands

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk C. Sivarraajh has lodged a report with anti-graft authorities on alleged vote buying in the Cameron Highlands by-election.

Calling on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the matter, the former Cameron Highlands MP said the probe was necessary as this was the same offence which he was accused of committing.

"I had lost my seat because of hearsay that I committed a similar offence. So, it is only right if the authorities look into this and take action," he said on Tuesday (Jan 15).

Sivarraajh maintained that although the allegations against him was merely hearsay, DAP admitted to giving money to party volunteers, which they claimed was petrol reimbursements.

However, the MIC vice-president pointed out that the judge who heard his case had concluded that money given as "duit rokok" (cigarette money) or "duit minyak" (petrol money) constituted as bribery.

Barisan Nasional had cried foul over the matter and several police reports have been lodged, urging the authorities to probe Pakatan Harapan for vote-buying.

Pakatan has since clarified that the woman was handing out petrol reimbursements to party volunteers, adding that everything was done according to the law and would be declared as election expenses.