KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is investigating claims that Terengganu voters were paid between RM30 and RM150 to vote for a certain political party in the general election last November.
MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki confirmed investigations have begun under Section 10 of the Election Offences Act 1954, following complaints based on several video recordings in a Terengganu district of the money exchange said to be “vote bait” during the 15th general election campaign period, Utusan Malaysia reported today.
Azam was quoted saying that cash handouts during an election campaign period can be construed as bribery.
The Malay daily also cited an anonymous source saying some 90 people have been identified for investigations after the MACC questioned a Terengganu political party branch chief on the bribery allegations.
“MACC initiated the investigation based on a video clip that circulated showing people said to be waiting in front of a building to be paid by a political party for their votes.
“Some of the individuals who received the payments are Terengganu residents and some are outstation returnee voters,” the unnamed source was quoted as saying and added that questioning has already begun.
The same source said that MACC have also obtained documents that show the signatures of the cash recipients.
Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders came under fire last month for defending cash handouts to voters during an election, saying it was a form of charity and that it is what some voters want.
In the 15th general election, PN won all eight parliamentary seats in Terengganu.
