ELECTORAL watchdog Bersih has urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to not make any policy announcements and to halt allocations by federal ministries and agencies during the six state elections.

Bersih was referring to the announcement made by Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi – who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development – to increase a grant to Persatuan Belia Gabungan Lembaga Kemajuan Terengganu Tengah by RM100,000. 

Zahid had also allocated RM250,000 to the Terengganu Youth Council and RM200,000 to motoring associations in the state during the Sentuhan Kasih Desa programme amounting to more than half a million ringgit. 

“Bersih urges the Madani government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to comply with the 3C prohibition: ‘No Conditions’, ‘No Campaign’ and ‘No Candidates’ so as not to abuse power and breach trust.

“Zahid in his speech clearly imposed conditions when he added that the amount of this allocation will be increased if his party wins and campaigns in front of the youth present to win the ‘red and blue wave’ which refers to the parties in coalition government in this election.”

“The special allocation to three social bodies in Terengganu, and not to all similar bodies throughout the country has violated the principle of ‘No Campaign’ while Zahid’s statement linking the amount of allocation to a victory clearly violates the principle of ‘No Condition’. 

“This is different from the announcement by PM Anwar of the new economic framework ‘Madani Economy’, which includes all Malaysians and does not link any provision with political support,” said Bersih.

Anwar recently announced a cash grant of RM100 to over 10 million eligible citizens, which will be credited to their e-wallets.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the eligible recipients are individuals with an annual income of RM100,000 and below.

He also announced a special assistance grant of RM300 for civil servants and a special appreciation grant of RM200 for government pensioners.

Bersih said Anwar should control his cabinet members and all heads of federal agencies to not recklessly make policy announcements or provisions that violate the 3C prohibition.

“There should be no special announcements targeted at states facing elections to attract support. Of course, there cannot be any candidates in any announcement ceremony. Any previous conditional announcements, including Zahid’s statement in Terengganu, must be cancelled immediately.”

“PM Anwar and the Madani government must remember that this violation of 3C will affect the credibility of Madani’s ideas, as it will be seen as party propaganda and not a policy vision for the whole country,” Bersih stressed. – July 29, 2023.