PARTI Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) could enjoy a sudden surge in support after Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers allegedly waylaid its president Voon Lee Shan on a public road and took him in for questioning.

Political analyst James Chin said the 8.30am incident in Kenyalang Park, Kuching’s largest residential estate, had changed PBK’s political fortune in the polls. 

PBK is a party that advocates independence for Sarawak, and until now was not heading anywhere in the Sarawak elections. 

“PBK was on the way to getting zero seats in the election but because of this morning’s harassment by MACC, the entire (political) scenario for PBK has changed,” he told The Malaysian Insight. 

Chin said the support would come from the undecided voters who are “swayed by issues related to emotions”. 

“Quite clearly there will be a lot of people who will be angry with the actions taken by the federal government. 

“They will see it as either harassment or even worse. I never thought I would say this: (the) federal government is the most effective campaigner for PBK.” 

In a posting on his Facebook page, he wrote: “There is stupidity and moronic. I think what happened this morning is beyond stupid and moron. 

“PBK will get massive sympathy over this. Public perception is everything to swing voters.” 

Chin said there is “very little doubt for me” that Voon will get a lot of sympathy votes in the Batu Lintang constituency where he is contesting.

“Sarawak voters will see this (incident) as the federal government interfering in state affairs again.” 

Other analysts are reserving their comments until they get a clearer picture of the incident. 

Voon, who was the assemblyman for the seat for one term from 2006 to 2011 as a DAP man, is in a stiff five-cornered fight with Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s Sih Hua Tong, incumbent See Chee How now contesting on a Parti Sarawak Bersatu ticket, Leong Shaow Tung of Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak and PKR’s Cherishe Ng Phuay Hui.

He said in the interdiction, MACC officers first blocked his car before officers rushed to snatch his car keys.

He questioned the need to do this. 

PBK secretary Priscilla Lau then shared on the party’s WhatsApp group chat with Kuching media a video Voon recorded of the incident on his handphone. 

Voon also said he was “arrested”.

He later told reporters after leaving the interrogation room that he was questioned from 9.30am to 1pm on an alleged offence under section 16(b) of the MACC Act, 2009. 

That section relates to the offence of corruptly giving, promising or offering to any person whether for the benefit of that person or of another person.

Voon said it was related to a video where he spoke on PBK’s passport – the party’s manifesto.

The “passport” had promised those who vote in the state elections will get a RM3,000 “special hardship relief fund” payment if PBK wins.

The former police officer and a senior lawyer in the state said the report against him was lodged by a MACC officer with “an instruction from someone at the top”. 

MACC, in a statement later, denied Voon was arrested.

The anti-corruption watchdog said they had tried several times to get in touch with him to serve the notice under section 30(1)(a) of the MACC Act 2009 to avail himself at the MACC headquarters but failed.

“Claims of a car pursuit are untrue,” the statement also added. – December 12, 2021.