PUTRAJAYA: The RM6mil worth of development projects in Tapah were announced before the nomination of candidates for the Ayer Kuning by-election, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said he had warned all parties not to use government machinery or allocations when campaigning in the by-election.
He said the government’s stance is clear – the use of government machinery or allocations from the time of nomination until polling day is not permitted.
The Prime Minister explained that the announcement of a RM6.13mil allocation by Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming on April 10 was made before the nomination for the by-election, which was two days later.
“If it was to be done after the nominations, we would have issued a warning that it is not permitted,” he said after the Finance Ministry’s monthly morning assembly.
He was asked to comment on criticisms leveled by election watchdog Bersih 2.0 and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) at the announcement on April 10 involving 33 development projects in the Tapah parliamentary constituency, which includes the Ayer Kuning state seat.
The state seat in Perak is being 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.
