LEMBAH Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil has lodged a police report over a video showing a senior Islamic Economic Development Foundation (Yapeim) executive threatening employees not to vote for Pakatan Harapan.

Fahmi, who is also PKR communications director, said making such threats was an offence under the Penal Code and Election Offences Act.

“It can be considered criminal intimidation or exerting undue influence,” Fahmi tweeted along with a photo of him at the at the Pantai police station today.

The Malaysian Insight reported on the two-minute video clip, which had been spread on social media, showing a YaPEIM executive speaking at a company event and telling those present that he will examine each and every one of their votes.

“If you vote for Pakatan Harapan, you are not fit to serve at YaPEIM. Look for work with DAP,” he is heard saying in the clip.

The speaker also said that those working at YaPEIM were dependent on the “existing system” and a change of government would cause them to lose their jobs.

Fahmi told reporters at the station that he was lodging the report so that police would investigate and ascertain if the executive making the threats was YaPEIM director-general Abibullah Samsudin.

Fahmi said if it was him, he could be deemed as making threats against the staff as he is a senior official.

A clear message should be sent to those holding senior positions about the right of employees to vote freely, Fahmi added.

YaPEIM has been in the spotlight over the irresponsible spending and investments by its previous management.

Leaked documents of an audit into the charity foundation had shown that funds meant for orphans’ welfare were abused by paying the legal fees of a director, who was also an aide of former prime minister Najib Razak.

YaPEIM’s top management was also paid unreasonably high salaries and bonuses. It also lost RM12 million in the Ar-Rahnu pawn scheme after having failed to auction off unclaimed items, besides making irrational business decisions, such as acquiring a building in Putrajaya with a bank loan higher than the purchase price, and making investments uncertified by a risk and investment committee. – May 18, 2019.