THE Pakatan Harapan government is abusing its position and machinery in the run-up to Tg Piai by-election said Ismail Sabri Yaakob, something it had accused the Barisan Nasional of doing when it was in power.

The opposition leader said PH is backtracking on its promise to ensure elections are free and fair and is doing things that suits its convenience.

“Last time, they said don’t buy votes before the election, don’t use government machinery, don’t use your position in the government to buy votes. 

“But now, they are doing that and are buying votes by announcing allocations of RM4 million… RM5 million,” the Bera MP said in the Parliament lobby today. 

Over the weekend, members of the PH administration have been announcing a slew of projects in Tg Piai.

Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman announced a RM4 million allocation for the constituency to upgrade various sports and recreational facilities. 

The Muar MP said that the allocation is part of RM14.6 million that has been requested by the late Tg Piai incumbent Md Farid Md Rafiq, who died due to heart complications.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub also announced a RM3 million allocation to upgrade fishing jetties in the constituency.

He said it was expected to boost the economy and improve the livelihoods of fishermen and local communities in the area.

Salahuddin said the project will take off early next year and includes the Jeram Batu Jetty in Pekan Nenas, Pengkalan Penghulu Jetty in Mukim Serkat and Sungah Boh Jetty in Mukim Air Masin.

Electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 said any ministers with intention to fulfill the wishes of the late Tg Piai MP should have waited until after the by-election is over.

Its chairman Thomas Fann said any federal funds channelled amid preparations for the upcoming by-election could be perceived as an attempt to buy votes.

“Doing now only reinforces the perception that government funds were used to buy the votes and hearts of Tg Piai’s voters,” Fann was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini yesterday.

Ismail Sabri said since PH won the seat in the last general election, the announcements should have been made soon after it had captured power and not during the election.

“They won and held the seat for one and a half years. Should have announced the allocation then, but they do it now (before the by-election),” he told reporters. 

Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa also said PH is taking a page from BN’s playbook.

“I am quite happy because PH is becoming BN 2.0. They’re going back to the old practice which even BN has abandoned. 

“They’re slowly becoming BN,” the Ketereh MP said.

The Election Commission (EC) has fixed November 16 as polling day for the Tg Piai by-election. – October 21, 2019.