Opposition: Ahead of Tg Piai polls, Pakatan govt promising ‘goodies’

KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Harapan has not honoured its promise and is announcing “goodies” ahead of the Tanjung Piai by-election, says parliamentary Opposition whip Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakub (pic).

He reminded Pakatan of its commitment to avoid abusing government machinery and its position during any by-election.

“Now they have started to buy votes, announcing projects to the tune of RM4mil to RM5mil.

“Why now and why not before the election?” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Monday (Oct 21).

On Oct 19, the Youth and Sports Ministry announced an allocation of RM4mil to upgrade six futsal courts and one football field in the Tanjung Piai parliamentary constituency.

Its minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said this was part of the RM14.6mil requested by the previous Tanjung Piai MP, the late Datuk Dr Md Farid Md Rafik.

However, Ismail said that the Pakatan government could have made such announcements earlier, and he questioned the timing of the project.

“They waited until right before the election, ” said the Bera MP.

“In their manifesto, they mentioned that there will be no such government interference, yet they are still doing it, ” alleged the Umno vice-president.

The Election Commission has set Nov 2 as nomination day and Nov 16 as polling day for the by-election, which was called after Dr Farid, 42, died of heart complications on Sept 21.