KLUANG: Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has quashed allegations that the Jom Jelajah Orang Mahkota programme was an attempt by Barisan Nasional to woo voters in the Mahkota by-election.
Onn Hafiz, who is also Barisan's Mahkota by-election director, said Perikatan Nasional was playing up the issue as they have no other issue to use.
"Yes, I saw the news (about the allegations), but I was made to understand that even Perikatan's candidate attended the program.
"So, this is not a political program. This is a programme for the people. Anyone, whether you are from Perikatan, Barisan or Pakatan Harapan, can attend the program.
"So, I think maybe they (Perikatan) have run out of ideas and are using that as political rhetoric," he said.
Onn Hafiz said this in a press conference after the officiating and groundbreaking ceremony of the Taman Kluang Perdana (Fasa 3A) affordable homes project here.
Also present at the event was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Umno president and Barisan chairman.
The Mentri Besar was commenting on a police report filed on Saturday (Sept 21) by Perikatan over allegations of government machinery being used by Barisan in the Mahkota by-election.
Perikatan’s report alleges that the two-day Jom Jelajah Orang Mahkota programme that was attended by Onn Hafiz and other state leaders is an offence under the Election Offences Act 1954.
The programme, held between Friday (Sept 20) and Saturday (Sept 21), includes performances from local artists and various activities with participation from state executive councillors.
Bersatu information committee member Badrul Hisham Shaharin said that Mentri Besar had abused his power as he was using government resources and civil servants for the election campaign here.
"Suddenly, there is a Jelajah Mahkota program, which has been attended by the Mentri Besar and Barisan's candidate.
"This is a misuse of power and a waste of the people's money," he told a press conference at the Kluang police headquarters after accompanying Kluang Perikatan youth 'gerak-gempur' head Sazni Sulaiman to file the police report.
Badrul Hisham, who is better known as Chegubard, claimed the thousands of ringgits worth of prizes offered during the programme could also be considered election goodies.
"This is a form of bribery as voters were offered motorcycles, electrical appliances, and other goods.
"We hope that the police, Election Commission, and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) address the issue," he said.
The Mahkota state seat became vacant when its assemblyman, Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain from Umno, passed away on Aug 2, three days after she was hospitalised.
Sharifah Azizah won the seat in the March 2022 Johor state election with a 5,166-vote majority, beating three other candidates from Perikatan, Pakatan and Parti Warisan.
Polling for the by-election has been set on Sept 28 while early voting is on Sept 24.
