Melaka PH deputy chairman Khoo Poay Tiong urges the Election Commission to investigate the alleged misuse of state assets ahead of Saturday’s polls.
MELAKA: Melaka Pakatan Harapan (PH) deputy chairman Khoo Poay Tiong has alleged that more than 500 billboards belonging to government agencies in the state are being used to campaign for Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates in the 16th Melaka state election.
The Kota Melaka Member of Parliament said the billboards, which previously displayed National Day and Malaysia Day celebration materials, had been replaced with photographs of BN candidates and their campaign materials.
Khoo, who is also Melaka DAP chairman, said the move raised questions about the use of government assets for political campaigning and called on the Election Commission (EC) to take stern action if electoral laws had been breached.
“This is wrong…and in this case, all BN candidates have certainly violated electoral laws.
“I suggest that all candidates lodge police reports so that further action can be taken. The EC must investigate these allegations to ensure all parties comply with the rules and conduct their campaigns fairly,” he told a press conference at the PH main operations centre in Bukit Baru here today.
Meanwhile, Khoo also questioned BN’s and Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) pledges not to increase land tax in Melaka for five years if given the mandate to govern the state, pointing out that a land tax increase had already been implemented in 2024.
He said that under Section 101(5)(b) of the National Land Code, the state government, regardless of which party was in power, could not revise land tax rates within 10 years of the previous revision.
“This means that if the land tax rates were revised in 2024, the state government would not be permitted to conduct another revision until 2034.
“So, what exactly are BN and PN promising the people in their manifestos for this Melaka state election?” he asked.
Khoo also reminded PH campaign workers to prioritise their safety and health during the remaining day of campaigning before polling.
The EC has fixed this Saturday as polling day for the 16th Melaka state election, while early voting was held last Tuesday.
