PETALING JAYA: There is no element of corruption in the government awarding grants of RM100,000 to the Terengganu Tengah Youth Development Council Federation (Ketengah) and RM250,000 to Terengganu Youth Council, says Tan Sri Azam Baki.
The Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner said the grants were a government initiative and not a form of vote-buying.
"This is a ruling government which could implement the initiative which is beneficial to the people.
"To me, there is no problem with the grant as it is a government initiative.
"As such if the grant was approved by the government it is not a form of bribery," said Azam according to Sinar Harian on Sunday (July 30).
On Friday (July 28), Ahmad Zahid during the Himpunan Belia Lestari Generasi Unggul event at Bandar Al Muktafi Billah Shah in Dungun, said he had approved the allocation, adding that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would increase the amount.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, claimed that the allocation would be given if youths in Terengganu "rode the red and blue waves in the state" in the upcoming polls.
The announcement however had since been labelled as a form of vote-buying by others.
Terengganu Muda had lodged a police report against Ahmad Zahid over his speech accusing the Barisan chairman of using ministry funds to win support of the youth.
All Muda candidates in the state issued a joint statement urging the Election Commission to take prompt action and urged the Federal Government to clarify its stance on the matter.
Former Umno leaders, Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan also criticised Ahmad Zahid, saying his actions constituted a bribe.
