The president of the Malaysian Islamic Party or PAS, Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, stated that the handing out of money by parties other than candidates to voters during election campaigns is a charity and not bribery or money politics. The statement was criticized by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH).
According to BERSIH, giving money or other valuables in an election is bribery. Article 10 of the Election Offences Act 1954 states that any person before, during and after an election, either directly or indirectly, who gives money or anything valuable, may be deemed to have committed a corruption offense.
“Although giving alms has become part of the culture in Malaysia, giving money or other valuables during an election can be considered an election offense, i.e. bribery. No matter whether the action is done directly or through a third party, it is bribery," said BERSIH Chairman Thomas Fann, as quoted from a BERSIH press release received by electionhouse.org (25/1).
Against this statement, BERSIH urges the Police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate. BERSIH also demands that the Government and Parliament take proactive steps, which include immediately reviewing and enacting the Political Financing Act (PFA) . This law is believed to curb corrupt practices during elections.
“The PFA has been discussed since the administration of Najib, Mahathir, Muhyiddin and Ismail Sabri while they were Prime Ministers. A permanent Standing Committee on Electoral Matters and Multiparty Democracy must be established in this coming February sitting of Parliament so that the long awaited PFA Bill that has been hidden from the scrutiny and feedbacks of the public could be reviewed by the Committee,” Thomas explained.
The Political Funding Bill, which has not been passed, is considered by BERSIH to create a public perception that the Government is not serious in dealing with the problem of bribery in elections and money politics. In addition, it is feared that there will be a perception that the law enforcement against cases of money politics and bribery during elections is only carried out against the opposition. []
