State polls: I did not break any law, says Zahid on vote-buying allegations

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says he did not break any law when he announced the approval of allocations for youths in Terengganu.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that he had made the announcement prior to Nomination Day and that he was neither a candidate in the elections, nor part of any of the caretaker state governments.

“The one who raised the hoo-ha of me announcing the Rahmah initiative for Terengganu youths as buying votes is a former sports and youth minister himself who himself has made such announcements. There was also an information chief of a political party who stated that my announcement is political bribery but when they do the same, it is considered as charity.

“Even the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had stated that what I announced was not political bribery. We are free to announce such initiatives as the event I attended was an event attended by national youth leaders.

“After the nomination of candidates, we already have a set of guidelines which we must follow. what I announced in Terengganu was before the nomination of candidates. This must be understood by those who are criticising me.

“MACC chairman Tan Sri Azam Baki said that the timing was important and I had announced that before the nomination of the candidates.

“On the announcement by Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan that one should campaign with an empty pocket, he was telling the Barisan candidates to not buy votes, in line with the Elections Act,” said Ahmad Zahid.

On July 28, Ahmad Zahid announced the approval of allocations of RM250,000 for the Malaysia Youth Council in Terengganu, RM200,000 for a motoring association in the state, and RM100,000 for a youth organisation.

The announcement has become an issue, with certain parties accusing it of being a form of vote-buying.

On this, Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said there was no element of corruption in awarding the government grants.

The grants were a form of government initiative, not vote-buying, he added.