Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi ticked off Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali for suggesting the federal government's cash handout was a form of bribery, and he pointed out similar policies in Selangor.

"Azmin agreed with (former prime minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad that BR1M is a bribe. He differed from (PKR president) Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who rejected Mahathir's view.

"The question is, isn't the free 20 cubic metres of water in Selangor involving the cost of RM1.1 billion since 2009 not also a bribe?" he asked in a statement.

Puad said if government handouts were indeed a form of bribery, they can come in many forms, including free water.

"Azmin may say BR1M is in cash compared to the free water. Where did Azmin learn that bribery can only be in the form of cash?

"A bribe can come in many forms such as a house, car, watch and other items given with ill-intention. This includes providing sexual services such as prostitutes and sexual favours."

Puad said if Azmin was insistent that Putrajaya's cash handout was a form of bribery, he should cease the state's free water policy.

He added that despite the opposition trying to brand BR1M as a form of bribe, many of their MPs have actually aided their constituents to get the cash aid.

"BR1M is only given to those who are qualified based on their income, without considering their political allegiance.

"It is part of the effort to improve the blanket subsidy system which ultimately even benefited the rich and foreigners," he said.

The Selangor government provides up to 20 cubic metres of free water a month to every household in the state.