KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 — The Kuala Terengganu division of Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) has today lodged a police report against Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for alleged misuse of his ministry’s allocation to attract youth votes a day before Nomination Day of the state election.
This was followed by Zahid’s promises of financial incentives to voters in Terengganu, which Muda argues were akin to bribing the voters.
“Although the campaign period has not yet started, Zahid’s announcement a day before the nomination of candidates is clearly an element of election corruption.
“Muda strongly condemns the use of ministry funds as campaign capital from any government. Not to mention when it is clearly mentioned by the deputy prime minister of Malaysia who is also the rural and regional development minister,” it said in a statement.
Yesterday, Zahid through his portfolio in the Rural and Regional Development Ministry agreed to an additional grant of RM100,000 for the Central Terengganu Development Authority (Ketengah) Youth Association for youth development activities in the state.
Zahid also said the amount may be increased depending on the performance of youth in the state election in Terengganu on August 12, saying he is confident the “blue and red wave” will change the political tide of Terengganu in this state polls with the support of youth leaders and voters aged between 18 and 30 and 31 to 40 in the state.
Meanwhile, on the ‘Sentuhan Kasih Desa’ programme which was attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Zahid also announced an allocation of RM250,000 for the Terengganu Malaysia Youth Council and RM200,000 for the motoring association in the state.
Earlier today, Muda raised doubts about the involvement of the Cabinet in allowing ministers to spend public funds as if it were their personal funds expressing their strong rejection of such practices.
The party also urged the Election Commission to take immediate action against the Barisan Nasional chairman for electoral offences.
Muda also said that the people of Terengganu should be given the freedom to choose their representatives without the influence of monetary inducements.
In Terengganu, Muda has put forth a single candidate, its information chief Luqman Long, to contest in the Bandar seat.
