IPOH: Charity is done to help the poor and needy, and not carried out only during the general elections, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The Perak Mentri Besar said if suddenly, charity is carried out during the election period, then the word “sedekah” (alms for charity) is misused.
He said in principle, during elections, the rules clearly state that it is wrong for any parties involved in the election process to give any form of hand-outs, as it constitutes a form of bribery, asking voters to vote for them.
“If indeed someone wants to help, no matter from which political party, they should do it at all times, and not only when nearing elections.
“For instance, many undergraduates at universities are suffering; some don’t have enough money to even eat.
“Such students must be helped, and not only when elections are around the corner with money being given to them for transportation purposes,” he told reporters after the launch of a mixed development project here Tuesday (Jan 24).
Saarani was asked if Perak Umno had lodged any reports with the Election Commission (EC) and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) pertaining to allegations of vote-buying during the 15th General Election.
He said they (Umno) never sent any spies, or brought cameras along.
“However, I dare not also say that such a thing (vote- buying) did not take place,” he added.
Saarani said sometimes, the vote-buying process is not done directly, but via a third party.
“Even that is not right, and if anyone has such information with proof, then reports should be lodged with the EC,” he added.
