KUALA KRAI, 13 July 2009: An independent election watchdog has slammed Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin‘s promise of a bridge in Manik Urai, should BN win in the by-election there, describing it as election graft.
“The promise to give a bridge to Manik Urai voters if they vote for Barisan Nasional (BN) breaches the principles of a fair election,” said National Institute for Electoral Integrity (NIEI) executive director Amin Iskandar, in a press statement today.
“This is because the federal government has misused its powers by giving development promises in the by-election campaign period, while their opponents are unable to do the same,” Amin explained.
Amin was commenting on a statement by Muhyiddin on the campaign trail in Manik Urai yesterday. The deputy prime minister pledged a replacement for the 40-year-old bridge linking Kg Manik Urai Lama and Kg Manik Urai Baru, if the electorate voted in the BN candidate, Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat.
Tuan Aziz is facing PAS’s candidate Mohd Fauzi Abdullah in a constituency of 12,293 voters nearly all of whom are Malay Malaysian. PAS is likely to retain the seat in polls that will be held tomorrow, 14 July.
Muhyiddin “The Public Works Department has made an estimate of RM7 million to construct the new bridge. We (BN) promise that the new bridge will be built one day after we win (the by-election),” Muhyiddin said.
“Muhyiddin’s promise may be seen as ‘intimidation politics’, as the people of Manik Urai will not receive the bridge if they vote against the BN,” Amin said.
“The deputy prime minister’s announcement has defiled the Manik Urai by-election process, which should have proceeded fairly, freely, and transparently,” Amin added.
To avoid such breaches from happening in future, Amin suggested that the Election Commission, working with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, petition Parliament to draw up an Election Anti-Corruption Act.
“(This law) exists in other Asian countries such as Taiwan,” Amin noted, adding that such legislation would help maintain the quality of elections in Malaysia, keeping them on par with United Nations standards. 
vp says
Yes, I agree since I read the news of the DPM saying: “You vote, I build, you don’t vote, I punish.” This is the level of our Malaysian minister, sad…
k c low says
This shows that BN are bankrupt of ideas. Only at elections, they promise heaven and hell. Cheapskate.
Pratamad says
Election Anti-Corruption Act!? You must be joking. Such a law would completely eliminate … Barisan Nasional! For that’s how they operate for the last 50 years or so.
tommy says
Must be really desperate …..
aca says
Bribery? If it’s PR, it is. For BN, no way. Ask the [MACC] chief.
PM says
To Muhyiddin and others in Umno, it is a very normal thing to make these sort of promises during an election. Reason being that money politics is part and parcel of Umno politics, and these politicians are already immune. Sad thing is that we did not [see] any action from the MACC and the likes over these sort of things.
Unbiased Viewer says
Like I have commented in the other article, this guy is a total burden to BN. I think [he] belongs to ’60s and ’70s era. We voters are smart enough nowadays to [not] fall for this. Wake up DPM! I feel ashamed and wonder how our PM feels to have such a ‘smart’ deputy.
Azizi Khan says
It will be quietly swept under the carpet in a few days. “Apa nama, itu Malaysian mudah lupa.”
AK.