KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Feb 2009: The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) spent RM15.153 million for deployment of personnel for the recent Kuala Terengganu by-election, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung said the cost incurred was higher compared with that spent for the by-election in Permatang Pauh.
He said the expenses incurred for the Kuala Terengganu by-election were for travelling and living allowance (RM2.7 million), communication and utilities (RM50,000), canopy rentals (RM6 million), dried food and beverages (RM65,000), fuel and spare-parts (RM698,000), raw materials and others (RM310,000), maintenance and minor repairs (RM830,000) and food stuff and accommodation (RM4.5 million).
He said a total of 3,376 police personnel from various branches in the PDRM were deployed to maintain order and ensure smooth election of the Kuala Terengganu by-election.
No incident of rioting or other untoward incidents occurred during the by-election, he said in response to a question by Amran Ab Ghani (PKR-Tanah Merah) who wanted to know the cost incurred by the police for the by-election and on riots that happened during the period.
To a supplementary question from Amran on whether there would be a similar strength of police deployment for the by-elections in Bukit Selambau, Kedah and Bukit Gantang in Perak, Chor said it would depend on the Election Commission (EC).
If there was instruction from the EC that the situation in areas where the by-elections would be held required tighter control so that voters could go out to exercise their rights without fear, then the police would act, he added.
However, he said, the police would analyse the situation in the affected areas first to determine the number of personnel to be deployed for the task.
In response to a supplementary question by Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat), Chor agreed that the presence of many police personnel had resulted in a smooth election for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election. — Bernama
