Gerakan Slams Rm18m Vote Buying Allocation Ahead Of Sg Bakap Polls

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Gerakan has slammed Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming’s announcement of RM18 million in funding for various projects in South Seberang Perai, Penang, under the Sentuhan Kasih programme, ahead of the Sungai Bakap by-election.
Its president Dominic Lau said Nga’s announcement can be construed as an attempt to buy votes under the pretext of carrying out responsibility and is an act to impose undue influence on the constituency’s voters before the July 6 polls.
Lau (above) also slammed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who provided RM290,000 in donations to nine mosques and 20 surau in the Sungai Bakap state constituency in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha next Monday.
“The Madani government seems immune as it has violated one election rule after another since the Kuala Terengganu by-election, the Kemaman and Kuala Kubu Baharu polls, and now in Sungai Bakap.
“All this just to stay in power and position. With such a mentality, the exploitation of money politics based on party interests has become a norm for the Madani administration.
“This causes a great inequality between the government and the opposition in the election arena,” he said in a statement today.
He urged Putrajaya to immediately cease such acts and to provide a level playing field for the government and the opposition.
Leader without reason
Nga yesterday said the RM18 million allotment would go towards the construction of the Permatang Tinggi fire and rescue station (RM13.7 million), the upgrade of Bukit Panchor market (RM1 million) and funding for six non-Muslim houses of worship (RM1.02 million).
The funds would also cover repairs at the Tasek Mutiara market and the Taman Bukit Panchor low-cost flats, landscaping at Bukit Panchor, and upgrading works on the Kampung Sungai Udang basketball court, according to reports.
Kampung Sungai Udang is located near Nibong Tebal, which falls under the Sungai Bakap state constituency.
Elaborating, Lau urged the government to draft comprehensive guidelines regarding the ethics of interim and non-interim governments during the election period, as soon as Parliament or a state legislative assembly is dissolved.
Nga Kor Ming announces RM18 million in funding for the South Seberang Perai area under the Sentuhan Kasih programme“It is worth remembering that the fate of Malaysians and the country’s development is being held by a leader without reason and who’s not in touch with the people.
“Gerakan hopes that the people will send a clear signal to the prime minister and his dysfunctional cabinet (on polling day).
“The voters of Sungai Bakap need to ask themselves - is the Madani government capable of maintaining the best level of service that has been provided by the former Sungai Bakap assemblyperson from Perikatan Nasional?” he said.
The Sungai Bakap state seat fell vacant following the death of its incumbent, Nor Zamri Latiff, on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.
In the Penang state election last August, Nor Zamri who was also Nibong Tebal PAS chief, defeated Pakatan Harapan candidate Nurhidayah Che Rose by 1,563 votes.
- Mkini

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