BATU PAHAT: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the police are welcome to investigate his speech at the Melana Indah people's housing project (PPR) in Pulai.
The Deputy Prime Minister said he was unfazed by the police report lodged by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) over what they claim was an attempt to influence voters.
"I am not a candidate. I can campaign for the candidate I like and I hope that the police will investigate if I have indeed made an offence under the Election Commission Act.
"I do not think I have done anything wrong. As the Minister responsible for rural and regional development, I have the ability and responsibility to give something good to the people in the area," he said.
He said this to reporters at a press conference after officiating the women entrepreneurship carnival at the Batu Pahat Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) here on Friday (Sept 8).
He said this when asked to comment on the police report made by Bersih's chairman Thomas Fann over the speech.
Ahmad Zahid added that the those promising "syurga" or heaven to voters who support their candidate are the ones who should be investigated.
"They are saying that those who support the candidate they do not like will go to hell and that it is 'haram' (forbidden)," he said.
On Thursday (Sept 7), Fann alleged that Ahmad Zahid's speech should be investigated as it violates Section 9 for undue influence and Section 10 for bribery under the Election Offences Act 1954.
"He made a speech to influence Pulai voters by saying that the upgrading project for PPR Melana Indah will be reviewed and approved on condition that Pakatan's candidate wins the by-election this Saturday (Sept 9).
"If not, the application from Johor housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, will be 'looked at' again," said Fann after filing the report at the Johor Baru South police headquarters on Thursday (Sept 7).
