PARTI Bumi Kenyalang chief Voon Lee Shan asked federal lawmakers to strengthen the anti-graft law to end politicians’ practice of providing “free lunches” while campaigning.

He said a good time to start would be during the six state elections.

“The law should widen its net to catch (politicians) who give free lunches to people,” the pro-secession politician and lawyer said, referring to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009.

He said the law should be enhanced to criminalise all “political donations”, such as giving payments or allowances to civil servants and the general public during festive seasons and in the run-up to elections.

“The guise of helping people, (like) alleviating their expenses during festive seasons and during elections by giving (them) money or buying (them) food and drinks, should be viewed as bribery and corruption.”

Voon denounced the practice, normally perpetrated by wealthy politicians, parties and their equally wealthy supporters.

The “free lunch” is not exactly free, he said.

“These politicians who hand out the money and (other) pleasantries will find ways to recover what they spend.

“Once elected or returned to government, they will be tempted to abuse their position or office to recover what they had spent on free lunches for the people.”

Voon also called for the law to be reviewed in terms of calling up witnesses or suspects in Sarawak and Sabah to assist in investigations.

He said the law currently allows MACC officers to summon people from any part of Malaysia to its Putrajaya headquarters.

“The person summoned could be in Sabah or Sarawak but would need to cough up huge expenses to go to Putrajaya to assist MACC in its investigation.”

He asked if the MACC would reimburse these people for their expenses.

Voon said investigations could be jeopardised as witnesses could find ways not to travel if they have to pay for the trip themselves. – July 6, 2023.