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SHAH ALAM – The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has asserted that two federal allocations totalling RM350,000 announced by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Terengganu do not constitute undue inducement to voters despite the upcoming state election.
Its chief commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said that the grants are deemed to be ministerial allocations issued at the federal level.
“This is from a ruling government that can implement initiatives it deems appropriate for the people,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian today.
He stressed that the allocations of RM100,000 for a youth body under the Central Terengganu Development Authority, and RM250,000 for the Terengganu Malaysia Youth Council, are not a form of corruption.
“In my opinion, there is no problem regarding the grant issue because it is a government initiative. So if the allocation initiative has been approved by the government, there is no element of corruption,” he said.
He reportedly added that this type of giving is not a form of bribery.
In making the announcement recently, Zahid, who is Umno president and Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, had openly urged the youths present at a function to vote for the “blue and red wave” in the upcoming August 12 state election.
The reference was obviously to BN’s blue flag and Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) red flag.
The two coalitions have formed an alliance in the elections taking place in Terengganu and five other states on August 12.
“That’s what I just (announced). After this, the prime minister will come up – he will top up, and add more, InsyaAllah. As long as on August 12, the youth will join the blue wave and the red wave in the state of Terengganu,” Zahid declared at the event.
Zahid even took a playful tone, insinuating that the more applause he received, the more “approvals” he will dish out.
Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman later criticised Zahid for normalising corruption.
Electoral watchdog Bersih rebuked Zahid over the same speech. Bersih said in a statement that Zahid has violated two out of the 3C prohibitions during the election – “no campaign” and “no conditions”. The third prohibition refers to “no candidates”.
Zahid had later brushed aside the criticisms, saying that the youths need assistance, and helping them is not corruption, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said in a brush-off to Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
He reasoned that the youths need assistance, and helping them is not corruption
“The fact remains, that youth need assistance so that they can run activities,” Zahid was reported as saying in Kelantan yesterday. – The Vibes, July 20, 2023