CAMERON POLLS | Police have been urged to investigate alleged election offences committed by Pakatan Harapan’s candidate for the Cameron Highlands by-election, M Manogaran.
MIC Youth member P Ruben lodged a police report against Manogaran at the Tanah Rata police station today.
The report sighted by Malaysiakini referred to photographs depicting a woman in a red Pakatan Harapan Cameron Highlands T-shirt handing out money.
“These images suggest that the ruling party is introducing elements of vote-buying and money politics to attempt to influence the by-election,” the report read.
Harapan has since explained that the cash was handed out as "reimbursement money" to party volunteers who travelled to Tanah Rata on their own expense for nomination day yesterday, adding that the amount would be declared as part of the coalition's campaign spending.
Election offences alleged
Ruben also alleged that Manogaran, along with Tanah Rata assemblyperson Chiong Yoke Kong, had gifted two Orang Asli a lawnmower prior to the May 9 general election last year.
“Both these events are offences under Section 10 (A) of the Election Offences Act 1954.
“Therefore, I am making this report to urge the police, the Election Commission and the MACC to take the appropriate action,” the report read.
Earlier, BN politicians had tweeted about the viral photographs depicting cash being handed out.
Among them was incumbent Cameron Highlands MP C Sivarraajh, whose win in the 14th general election was voided after the Election Court established vote-buying had occurred, which triggered the by-election.
The MIC vice president chided the alleged double standards displayed.
“This doesn’t matter because they are the federal government.
“If we even hold a kenduri (banquet) for our machinery, it will be a big offence and we won’t be able to vote for five years,” he said.
The Election Commission has barred Sivarraajh from both voting and contesting in elections for five years.
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