THE authorities should investigate claims by Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor that voters were being paid to return to Padang Serai and vote, Digital Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said today.

According to Fahmi, the claims by Sanusi – who is also the state Perikatan Nasional chief – should be looked into by the police and the Election Commission.

“My concern is that money politics will become rampant and made acceptable. We know that it’s a form of bribery to get people to vote,” Fahmi said in a video distributed to the media earlier today.

Free Malaysia Today reported that Sanusi had said voters were being stupid and were an embarrassment for wanting money to return to vote.

In a campaign video posted on TikTok, Sanusi said some voters had resorted to sulking online when they didn’t get the allowance for voting, the report said.

The video shows Sanusi making a campaign speech in support of PN candidate Azman Nasrudin in Padang Serai for the election to be held on December 7.

Sanusi appeared incensed over voters seeking payment.

“They knew the importance in assuming control of this land,” he is seen saying.

“Here you are, asking for RM50. You are stupid,” he said.

“One whole family from Australia spent RM40,000 to return to vote for Pakatan Harapan. They didn’t ask for money,” he was quoted as saying on the clip. – December 4, 2022.