PAKATAN Harapan (PH) is not dishing out goodies in favour of votes despite announcing allocations and projects, said Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub today.

He said Putrajaya should not be deterred in announcing projects just because the area they are in is on the cusp of a by-election.

“The allocations have been approved. It is not wrong from me to announce them. A minister’s job is to announce projects lined up for the people.

“This is policy for the people and I will keep doing this. I won’t wait for the right time,” he told reporter at the Parliament lobby.

Salahuddin said some the projects in Tg Piai, Johor are in the pipeline and would have been carried out even if incumbent Md Farid Md Rafiq did not die of heart complications.

“We should not be ‘allergic’ or apologetic when implementing decisions.”

Opposition leader Ismail Sabri Yaakob this morning complained that the Pakatan Harapan government was abusing its position and machinery in the run-up to Tg Piai by-election, something it had accused the Barisan Nasional of doing when it was in power.

Ismail said PH is backtracking on its promise to ensure elections are free and fair, and is now doing things that suit the coalition.

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

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

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

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

Syed Saddiq, who is Muar MP, said the allocation is part of RM14.6 million that was requested by Farid before he died.

Salahuddin 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 would take off early next year that included 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 fulfil Farid’s wishes should have waited until 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 it now only reinforces the perception that government funds are being used to buy 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 by-election.

“They won and held the seat for one-and-a-half years. Should have announced the allocation then, but they are doing it now (before the by-election).” – October 21, 2019.