The agency received four reports of cash distribution in the state
PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has received four reports involving the distribution of cash during the Negri Sembilan state election.
MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Abd Halim Aman said the reports, involving two candidates and two early voters, were received on Thursday.
“The complaints concern the distribution of cash, and we will conduct further investigations into the matter,” he said at a press conference at the MACC headquarters here, yesterday.
Abd Halim said the commission would determine whether the complaints contained elements of corruption or constituted offences under election laws.
Meanwhile, he said the MACC had set up an operations room throughout the duration of the state election.
However, he declined to reveal the identities of those involved, saying doing so could compromise ongoing investigations.
“It is too early for us to disclose their identities. At this stage, it is sufficient to say that two reports involve candidates and two involve early voters,” he said.
Political activist Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard, had alleged that he had received information claiming that members of the uniformed services, including police personnel, were given between RM300 and RM500 during the early voting process for the Negri Sembilan state election.
Following the allegation, Negri Sembilan police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Alzafny Ahmad was reported as saying that police would conduct a transparent investigation if a report was lodged over the matter.
He stated that if the report involved election-related misconduct, it would be referred to the MACC.
He said two reports were lodged in Seremban and another in Port Dickson last Tuesday.
In Seremban, Bernama reported that the Negri Sembilan police have received 87 reports and opened 23 investigation papers involving alleged election offences during the campaign period for the 16th state election.
DCP Alzafny said 761 out of 787 permit applications submitted for ceramah and political campaign activities during the same period were approved.
“All political programmes and activities held are monitored to ensure they comply with the law and do not disrupt public safety and order,” he said in a statement.
DCP Alzafny said the police would continue to strengthen their preparedness and enforcement efforts, stressing that any violation of the law would be dealt with firmly and fairly without compromise.
He urged the public to continue complying with the law, respecting the democratic process and extending full cooperation to the police to ensure the election is conducted in a peaceful, harmonious and orderly manner.
