RULING coalition Pakatan Harapan is not above committing election offences, even outdoing rivals MCA and PAS in the recent by-elections in Seri Setia and Balakong.

Electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 said PH ministers Azmin Ali, Mohamad Sabu and Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad had reportedly used government machinery when campaigning in Balakong.

In Seri Setia, PH gave out white T-shirts. During both by-elections, PH also organised banquets.

Meanwhile, MCA gave free medical check-ups in Balakong.

The Chinese-based Barisan Nasional component party and PAS also organised banquets and gave out gifts to voters in their Balakong and Seri Setia campaigns.

PH candidates committed more offences compared with their rivals, says Bersih 2.0.

Balakong candidate Wong Siew Ki of DAP, who won the seat, was seen displaying her party’s logo at a polling station.

But PAS’ Seri Setia candidate Halimah Ali also campaigned through Facebook on polling day.

These offences were revealed in Bersih 2.0’s observation reports on the Seri Setia and Balakong by-elections, which were held early last month.

Acting Bersih 2.0 chairman Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari said all parties must stop giving out goodies to win votes.

“We also want the abuses of government assets, manpower and agency programmes aimed at gaining votes to stop.”

Shahrul said the Election Commission needed to be given the authority to investigate and take action against such offences.

“For the long term, I hope the EC will be given the power to investigate and prosecute, like the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. The EC has no such powers today. 

“Like what we had reported previously, nobody takes responsibility over these issues. We need a system that can protect those who lodge reports on election offences and take action effectively.

“We hope the government can leave everything election-related to the EC. It will be easier that way,” he told a press conference today after unveiling the Seri Setia and Balakong reports.

Bersih 2.0 executive director Yap Swe Seng expressed disappointment that PH was acting like BN.

“We want a new Malaysia. Instead, PH copies the old BN practices. That is not proper,” he said.

Previously, Deputy Prime Minister and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had said that PH must not repeat its mistake in Sg Kandis, in which it violated election laws, as alleged by Bersih 2.0.

She had said PH’s campaigns in Seri Setia and Balakong must be clean and fair.

When prominent lawyer Azhar Harun was recently appointed EC chairman, he pledged to work without being influenced by the powers that be.

He said he would listen to all parties and consider all ideas before making decisions.

“If they are good for the nation and the process, I will do it. If not, we won’t do it,” he had said.

Until now, the EC has not taken any effective measures or action over the alleged offences listed by Bersih 2.0.

It only lodged a police report against former prime minister Najib Razak over his Facebook post on polling day for the Sg Kandis polls on August 4, telling voters to choose the BN candidate. – October 4, 2018.