Press Statement by M. Kula Segaran MP Ipoh Barat and DAP
National Vice Chairman in Ipoh on 26th May 2014
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Call on the Election Commission to investigate BN’s
violations of Election Offences Act
The Teluk Intan parliamentary seat now sees the 3rd
by election since Merdeka. No other constituency has seen three by elections.
The first was in 1962 when former Deputy Education Minister, Too Joon Hing won
on an Independent ticket. In the 1997by election, I was chosen by DAP to
contest and had won with a majority of 2961 votes.
In the present by election where polling has been fixed for
May 31, DAP has fielded Dyana Sofya, a young and talented Malaysian Malay
against Gerakan‘s Mah Siew Keong.
As campaigning enters the second week, Dyana’s winning
chances have been increasing from the 40 % on nomination day. However, it remains an uphill battle for her
and the DAP.
The way BN is fighting the campaign is making the by
election look like Dyana is fighting against Umno.BN and Umno are going all out
to ensure Dyana is defeated and will definitely rely on the politics of money,
machinery and media against the Opposition.
Last Thursday on 22nd May 2014, while I and DAP campaigners were doing a house to house campaign in Novia
Scotia Estate, we met residents who were
given hampers estimated to worth at least RM150 a packet. We were told the
hampers were given only to locals and voters, but not to foreign workers who
are residing there too.
We interviewed some of the recipients and we were told that the
event was sponsored by political parties friendly to the BN. We took photos of
the event.
This is clearly a form of corruptive act which violates the
Election Offences Act.
Further, the Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahamd Zahid Hamidi has also committed an offence when he openly said
that he
would sponsor new uniforms for the 8,639 Rela members eligible to vote in Teluk
Intan should Barisan Nasional candidate Mah Siew Keong win the May 31
by-election.
As Zahid has promised benefits if the voters vote in the BN,
this is a serious breach of the Elections Offences Act.
The Act of giving monies or its equivalent is an offence
under the Election Offences Act 1954, in particular Section 10 which talks
about bribery.
The above acts of giving out hampers to voters as Zahid’s
promise to RELA members definitely constitute an offence.
I have therefore met the Perak Election Commission today and
urge them to take immediate action.
It has to be noted the above are corruptive acts that have
come to our knowledge. It will not be surprising if many other corruptive acts
have been occurring.
The Election Commission must therefore act fast and
effectively to ensure a fair and clean election.
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