PUTRAJAYA: The announcement of more than RM6mil for projects in Tapah was done before the announcement of the candidates for the Ayer Kuning by-election, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"It was done before the nomination of candidates.
"If it was to be done after the nominations, we would have issued a warning that it is not permitted," the Prime Minister told reporters after addressing the Finance Ministry's monthly morning assembly here on Monday (April 14).
Anwar stressed that no government machinery or allocation is to be used following the announcement of candidates for the by-election.
Anwar was asked to comment on criticism levelled by election watchdog Bersih 2.0 and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) at Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming for announcing that more than RM6mil would be spend on 33 infrastructure and housing projects for residents in Tapah.
His announcement was made on April 10 during a press conference at the ministry’s 3.0 Touch of Love Programme in Tapah, two days before nomination day on April 12.
The Ayer Kuning state by-election will be a three-way tussle.
The state seat will be contested by Barisan Nasional's Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir, Abd Muhaimin Malek of Perikatan Nasional, while PSM will field its secretary-general KS Bawani.
Polling is set for April 26, while early voting is on April 22.
The by-election was called following the passing of its incumbent Ishsam Shahruddin, 59, of Barisan on Feb 22.
