PAS Youth today accused Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hassan of campaigning in an army camp with offers of a swimming pool and futsal court in exchange for votes in the Bagan Pinang by-election.

At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan alleged that the duo had "abused their positions" by campaigning in Kem Institut Kejuruteraan Tentera Darat (IJED) in Port Dickson on Oct 6, three days after nomination day.

NONE To back his claim, Nasrudin played a purported audio recording of speeches by the two during their visit to the camp.

"It is humiliating. They promised all sorts of development projects if the army personnel voted for BN," he told reporters.

In the audio recording, Mohamad Hassan had allegedly promised to allocate RM100,000 to upgrade a mosque in the camp.

Zahid, on the other hand, allegedly promised to provide a swimming pool, futsal court and wi-fi facility for the soldiers in exchange for their support.

With the 'evidence' in hand, Nasrudin said PAS is determined to report the matter to the police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Election Commission.

"And this move would allow us to urge EC to nullify the by-election result if it favours BN," he said, stressing that it is an offense under Section 10 of the Election Offences Act 1954 which forbids any form of bribery.

Last month, the Defence Ministry rejected PAS' request to campaign in army camps and urged all political parties to stay out for security reasons.

The Bagan Pinang by-election is a straight fight between BN heavyweight Isa Samad and PAS Negri Sembilan commissioner Zulkefly Mohamad Omar.

'Manipulation' of postal voting

Based on the information received from an inside source, Nasrudin said only a small number of army personnel are expected to be present to cast their votes when polling for them starts today and ends on Saturday, a day before the locals cast their ballots.

For those who are unable to be physically present, ballot papers will be posted to their respective locations on the second day, which is tomorrow.

"We have estimated that those who won't be present number around 3,000 who will have ballot papers posted to them," he said.

NONE However, the process of posting the ballot papers is “questionable” as the youth wing claimed that it can be opened to manipulation by unscrupulous individuals.

"We have learnt that there is a big possibility of ballot papers not being posted, but released by election officials with votes in favour of BN," said Nasrudin.

He further revealed that he was approached by a retired sergeant named ‘Abu Kassim’ who admitted that he voted for BN in all elections to ensure the ruling coalition’s victory.

"It also puzzles us as to how the ballot papers posted in large numbers could be distributed all over the constituency and returned before Sunday," said Nasrudin.

Will take legal action

If postal voting irregularities are found, Nasrudin warned that PAS Youth will take legal action against the individuals involved.

azlan The wing also has established a postal voting identification system, which allows them to find out if the ballot papers actually reach the voters.

He also said the party is willing to provide free legal aid to any army personnel threatened with punishment if they vote for the opposition.

Nasrudin said this in reference to a previous incident where several army personnel were allegedly called up by the officers in charge of the camp for accepting flyers from the party.

"We have learnt that after they took our flyers, their names were taken down and action was taken`against them," he claimed.

Of the 13,664 voters in Bagan Pinang, a third of which or 4,604 comprise postal voters.

As BN's majority was about 2,000 in the last general election, canvassing for postal votes has become an integral part of PAS' strategy to wrest the state seat in Negri Sembilan from BN.