LIM Kit Siang has called on the Election Commission to hold an inquiry into the alleged transfer of military voters to support several former ministers in the 14th general election.

The Iskandar Puteri MP urged the electoral body to determine if the results of these seats should be declared null and void.

The seats involved are Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s Bagan Datok seat, Hishammuddin Hussein (Sembrong) and Ismail Sabri (Bera).

However, a fourth seat – Segamat – which was held by Dr S. Subramaniam, was lost to the opposition in GE14.

The DAP veteran was commenting on a Defence Ministry audit report released last week that stated EC officials helped the ministry transfer voters to support Zahid, Hishammuddin, Ismail and Subramaniam.

“Such collusion with the Defence Ministry to illegally and undemocratically shore up the support of ministers in GE14 was not only a flagrant abuse of power by the Najib Razak administration, but an impermissible abuse of the democratic process,” Lim said in a statement today.

“The more fortunate former ministers – Zahid, Hishammuddin and Ismail – should (also) state whether they would welcome an inquiry on whether their election was unlawful and undemocratic and should, therefore, be declared null and void.” 

The report, overseen by former auditor-general Ambrin Buang, looked into the ministry’s procurement and maintenance contracts.

Lim also urged Hishammuddin to clarify his recent “glass house” comment about Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu and his deputy, Liew Chin Tong.

Hishammuddin had called for proof that he benefited from land swap deals struck during his time in office, in response to claims that the government lost more than RM500 million in the deals.

Lim said both Mohamad and Liew had not alleged that Hishammuddin had benefited financially. 

“But what was most intriguing was Hishammuddin’s cryptic remark: ‘If they live in glass houses, don’t throw stones.’

“Hishammuddin should explain what he meant by this remark, which does not appear to be a declaration of innocence, and is clearly a statement that his father, Hussein Onn, known for his uncompromising stand against corruption, would not have approved of.” – May 15, 2019.