KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 — Caretaker Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari abused his power by announcing a conditional public holiday on Monday if his coalition were to win the state election tomorrow, said the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih).
Bersih chairman Thomas Fann also said the last-minute announcement was irresponsible and unfair to companies in Selangor, which may only get confirmation of the sudden state holiday as late as Sunday.
“It exceeded his power as the caretaker MB to make such an announcement to try and influence voters on the eve of polling day,” Fann said in a statement.
“It is akin to bribery as this was not part of his announced election manifesto and MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) should look into this.”
In a special address this morning, Amirudin said Monday would be a special state holiday if the unity pact of Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional were to win the state election tomorrow.
Selangor is holding its state election together with Kedah, Kelantan, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, and Terengganu as all six did not dissolve their state assemblies along with Parliament for the 15th general election last year.
