DEPUTY Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s offer of more than RM500,000 in allocation to Terengganu youth is not an offence, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki said.

He said the pledges were nothing more than federal government initiatives.

“The government can implement initiatives that are deemed appropriate for the people,” Azam was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.

“In my opinion, there is no problem regarding the grants because it is a government initiative.

“If they were approved by the (federal) government, then there is no element of corruption.”

On Friday, Zahid called on youth at an event in Dungun to vote for the “blue and red wave” in the August 12 state elections.

He said allocations would be increased should the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (BN) pact win the polls.

Zahid, who is also BN chairman, announced grants of RM250,000 to the Terengganu Malaysia Youth Council, RM200,000 to motorcycle teams throughout Terengganu and RM100,000 to the Central Terengganu Development Authority youth association.

On the same day, electoral watchdog Bersih called on the government not to abuse its power when federal ministries and agencies announce policies and allocations ahead of the elections.

Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman also criticised Zahid for his speech, tweeting that it was “normalising corruption”.

Zahid replied saying “the youth need sufficient funding to carry out activities, whether at the district, state or national level”.

Today, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man questioned if MACC will act against Zahid for offering the grants to Terengganu youth in exchange for votes.  

He said the deputy prime minister’s speech “clearly involves bribery and goes against the country’s laws”. – July 30, 2023.